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"GRIIf g" VALLEY GAZETTE 



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Voi,.^. No 12. Albany, N. Y., December, 1896. 

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12 Nos. |;i.oc 



Qri^\.' Historical Souvenir, Series No. 3 



ONEONTA 



-AND- 



VICINITY 



LLUSTRATED 



ONEONTA in population is a cit)'. The federal 
enumeration of the town of Oneonta in iSg2 was 
8,347. From the fact during the past four years the 
increase of inhabitants within the corporate limits 
of Oneonta has been remarkable, as shown in the 
statement that at least fifty new residences and two 
solid squares of business blocks have been erected, 
it is fairly assumed that a census would show a pop- 
ulation in Oneonta of 10,000 people. Notwithstand- 
ing its eligibility for the assumption of the name 
•' city," there has been no disposition to apply to the 
Legislature for the formality of an enactment giving 
to it that title. The present charter gives the people 
all the blessings that might follow the actual decree 
without any of the impositions sure to accompany it. 
The people have ample authority to make all of the 
improvements that the most advanced community 
may desire, with ample protection to those who con- 
tribute directly to the expense. In fact, no town 
enjoys more of the good things which conduce to 
the comfort of a large population. Clear and pure 
water, the greatest of all, is supplied from living 
springs, and that net-work of cold streams which are 
ever flowing in great abundance down the hillsides, 
across the meadows and through the fertile valleys 
of the Susquehanna country. The village is lighted 
with electricity, dispelling the darkness from the 
streets b}' arc lamps, which are in use in many of 
the large stores, and furnishing to the home and the 
assembly rooms light by means of the incandescent 
burner. A new .S3'Stem of sewers built after the best 
plan, which contetnplates expansion adequate to the 
growth of the town, has been in use a sufficient time 
to demonstrate that drainage is properly effected. 
The paving of the streets is in its infancy, but as 
there is a movement to introduce an electric car line 
in the place of the present horse car road, which con- 
nects the eastern and western ends of the town with 
he business district, the prospects of additional and 
better pavements are flattering. 



The village is located in Otsego count}^ on the line 
of the Susquehanna division of the D. & H. rail- 
road midway between Albanj' and Binghamton. It 
is the center of a very wide stretch of splendid farm- 
ing country, situated in a broad valley and protected 
from violent winds by high hills. The intersection 
of the Susquehanna and the Charlotte valleys near 
this village afford a radiation of favorable turnpike 
and railwa)' communication with the four cardinal 
points of the compass, giving easy communication to 
the east direct to Alban)' and Schenectady, and 
through Delaware county to the principal points in 
the Catskills; also north and west, either by Bing- 
hamton and the Erie, or via Cooperstown and 
Utica. 

The best portion of Oneonta, which is the largest, 
consists of new and modern dwellings and orna- 
mental stone business blocks- The streets are 
broad and heavily shaded, level and kept in good 
order. There is no unsightly, squalid tenement dis- 
trict. The poor we always have with us, but in 
Oneonta that class is small and almost wholly 
self-sustaining. The remark of strangers, on visit- 
ing the least pretentious sections, is: " Is this what 
you call the poorest locality?"' Surprise is invari- 
abl}- expressed at the general cleanliness and good 
order shown in every part of the town. 

Oneonta is blessed with abundant provisions for 
manufacturing. No better artificial water power can 
be found anywhere, and the large area of railroad 
trackage reaching across wide, level country offers 
plenty of switching room. It has grown to be a large 
distributing point, as is evidenced by the large whole- 
sale stores that are doing a successful business. 

Referenf^e to the sketches of the business houses 
in these columns will give valuable statistics in that 
line; and will also show that a great amount of re- 
tail business is also carried on here. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




he Oneonta Normal School. 



IF AS EMERSON says: "Every institution is Oneonta Normal School. His commanding legis- 

the elongated shadow of some great man," then lative position, his wide-reaching public influence, 

the establishment ol the State Normal School at his political sagacity and his strong personality were 

Oneonta must rest as a benediction on the inemory of the potential factors that changed vague and in- 

the Honorable Frank B. Arnold. To others undoubt- definite desires into living verities. 









/ "? f 



f*«| 









'^IdJT,:-?" 



THE FACULTY, PAST AND PRESENT. 

ediy belongs the honor of suggesting the desirability The work of establishing a State Normal School at 

of such an institution, to others should be granted Oneonta was not the mere locating of another public 

unmeasured praise for numerous and unquestioned institution, but was also the inauguration of a new 

sacrifices and for devoted and unstinted toil, but to line of state polity in regard to normal schools. 

Mr. Arnold must be given the title of Father of the Hitherto normal schools had been established at 



THE ONEONTA HLSTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



different points in the State, but invariably tlie local- 
ities in which the schools were established had fur- 
nished the sites, erected the buildings and equipped 
them and had deeded the whole property to the State 
with the single condition, that the pupils in the train- 
ing school and academic department should be 
taught free of charge. In a certain sense the normal 
schools thus established were State schools in part- 



of a school in the Susquehanna valley, and Oneonta 
had been mentioned together with several othe 
places. In the summer and autumn of i8S6 desires 
began to take on a more definite form. That year, 
preceding the election of Mr. Arnold as member of 
the Assembly, it was generally understood that he 
was committed to the project. On the organization 
of the Assembly, Mr. Arnold was appointed to the 




THE FACULTY, PAST AND PRESENT. 



nership with the several localities. The Oneonta 
Normal School is, then the first, purely State Norm.al 
School. The difficulties in the founding of this 
Normal School are only apprehended when these 
facts are considered in connection with the problem. 
When the first mention was made of a Normal School 
in Oneonta, is not known. In a vague way, from 
time to time, various individuals had urged the need 



pivotal position of Chairman>f the Ways and Means 
Committee. Early in the session he introduced a 
bill appropriating $45,000 for the establishment of a 
Normal School at Oneonta. On March 28, 1887, 
this bill passed the Assembly with but two votes 
against it. The bill was then given in the charge of 
Senator John E. Smith. May 5 it passed the Senate 
unanimously and on May iS was signed by Governor 



THE ONKONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



5 



Hill. A telegram from George I. VVilber, that the 
bill had been signed, was the occasion of Oneonta's 
first rejoicing over a school in sight. 

The bill provided for a commission to select a site 
for the school and on June 30, of the same year, 
Honorable Andrew S. Draper, Superintendent of 
Public Instruction ; Honorable Lawrence J. Fitz- 
gerald, State Treasurer ; Honorable Charles R. Hall, 



village. The village, through its trustees, of whom 
George Kirkland was president, entered into con- 
tract to carry out the stipulations imposed by the 
Commission. The State Superintendent, on Sep- 
tember 7, 18S7, appointed the members of the local 
board, and on September 13 the board met and 
organized. 

Messrs. Fuller i^ Wheeler of Albany were em- 




THK LOCAL BOARD, PAST AND PRESENT. 



Deputy State Comptroller, and Honorable Denis 
O'Brien, Attorney-General, met in Oneonta. 
Twelve different sites were presented to the con- 
sideration of the Commission and on July 8 the site 
offered by Delos Yager, at the head of Maple street, 
comprising about ten acres of land, was accepted. 
The acceptance, however, was conditioned on the 
fulfilment of certain^ requirements imposed on the 



ployed as architects. A committee from the local 
board visited several state normal schools and ob- 
tained practical information regarding the needs of a 
normal school. When plans were prepared it was 
found impracticable to build a suitable building for 
the amount of mone}' appropriated. On consulta- 
tion with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
it was decided to wait and present the facts to the 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



next legislaiuie and ask for an additional appropria- 
tion. Andrew S. Draper in his annual report for 
1888, urged the legislature to make an additional ap- 
propriation for Oneonta on the ground that the best 




THK JANITORS AND KNCIXEKKS. 

interests of the State would i)e subserved by such a 
course. Mr. Arnold, who had been elected State 
Senator, introduced a bill into the Senate on January 
23, 1SS8, asking for |;6g,ooo additional appropriation, 
and on Februar\- 2d the bill passed the Senate with 



only two votes recorded against it. Honorable 
Walter L. Brown took charge of the bill in the 
Assembly and on March 8 the bill was passed with 
only four votes in the negative. The bill then went 
to the Governor and on March 20, 
was withdrawn from the Gover- 
nor's hands to prevent a veto. 
Later it was presented to the 
Governor and the following tele- 
gram marked Oneonta's second 
period of rejoicing: "April 17, 
18S8, Governor Hill has just signed 
the Normal School bill in my 
presence. H. D. Nelson." 

On April 19, iSSS, Dr. James 
M. Milne, of Cortland was elected 
principal. Plans of building were 
speedily completed, bids adver- 
tised, .-uid on June 30, 1S8S, the 
contract for erecting the build- 
ing was awarded to R3'an, RafTerty 
iS: O'Hara and to Baker & Mc- 
Allister, of Syracuse, N. Y., and 
the contract for heating and ven- 
tilating was on the same day let to 
Pierce, Butler & Pierce, of Syra- 
cuse. On July 17, 1S88, ground 
was broken and excavation for the 
new building was commenced and 
on August 21, iSSg, the building 
was completed. 
In the legislature of 1SS9, an aj^propriation for 
!J!47,ooo for furnishing the building passed both 
branches of the legislature, but failed to become a 
law through Governor Hill's withholding his signa- 
ture. Seats and desks were procured, text books 









VIEVV FR(JM THE NORMAL. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAIv SOUVENIR. 



were donated and with scant equipment the school 
was conducted the first year. 

The building was formallj' dedicated on September 
4, 1889. The principal address was made by State 
Superintendent Andrew S. Draper. He, at tliat time, 
bestowed marked praise on George I. Wilber, Wil- 
lard E. Yager and Walter L. Brown for the energy 
and push evinced in the Normal School enterprise 
and at the close of this address he presented to the 
school a beautiful national flag. This flag was ac- 
cepted for the school b}' Mr. Eugene Raymond. 
School opened next day with nearly one hundred 
students in the Normal Departm<int and about an 
equal number in the Training Department. 

The legislature of iSgo granted an appropriation 
for $40,000 for grading the grounds and for ecjuip- 



Not a day of school was lost and only one student 
out of four hundred left. 

On February 27 the bill for an additional $100,000 
was introduced into the Senate by Senator Cogges- 
hall. It passed the Senate March 7, and was at once 
introduced into the Assembly. March 8, it passed the 
Assembly and was immediately signed by Governor 
Rosweii P. Flower. Now, for the fourth time, 
Oneonta rejoiced over a school appropriation. On 
April 5, the contract for erecting the new building 
was let to Barnes, Lewis & Wilson of Oneonta, and 
the contract for heating and ventilating to Edward 
Bates of S3'racuse. On April 9 work was com- 
menced on the new building, and on September 5, 
of the same year, the Normal Department of the 
school opened in the west wing of the building, 




NEW xor:mai, Bnr.DixG. 



ping the Normal School. This bill became a law 
April 15, 1890, and was the occasion of Onconta's 
third rejoicing over school appropriations. 

Late in the afternoon of February 15, 1894, the 
Normal School building with all its equipment — 
books, pictures, tapestry, scientific collections and 
school records — was burned to the ground. On 
February 16 a bill passed the Assembly granting 
the use of the Armory for school purposes and ap- 
propriating the $75,000 insurance money for re" 
building. On the evening of February 19 this bill 
passed the Senate and was signed the next morning 
b}' the Governor. School met February 16, and on 
Monday, February 19, all Normal classes were re- 
citing in the Armory, and the Training Department 
was accommodated in the Stanton Opera Block. 



while on October 15, the training school was trans- 
ferred to the Normal building. 

On December 15, 1894, the new building was dedi- 
cated with exercises long to b^ remembered. The 
occasion called forth as speakers : President Andrew 
S. Draper of the State University of Illinois ; Dr. 
Nicholas Murray Butler of New York, President of 
the National Educational Association; Charles W. 
Bardeen of Syracuse, Editor of the School Bulletin ; 
Honorable James F. Crooker, State Superintendent 
of Public Instruction ; Professor Augustus S. Down- 
ing, of the State Department of Teachers' Institutes ; 
Honorable John R. Reid of Babylon, member of the 
Jamaica Normal School Board ; Dr. N. L. Andrews, 
Dean of Colgate University; and Dr. E. N. Jones, 
President of the New York State Teachers' Associa- 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAIv SOUVENIR. 



lion. Honorable Hartford D. Nelson, Secretary of 
the Local Board, was the historian of the occasion 
and Principal James M. Milne presiding officer of 
the daj'. 

Near the opening of the following legislature, a 
bill passed both branches unanimously appropri- 
ating $50,000 for equipping and furnishing the State 
Normal School at Oneonta. When Governor Morton 
on February 26, 1895, signed the bill, Oneonta 
passed through the fifth stage of rejoicing. 

The First Local Board. — The members of the lo- 
cal board appointed by the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, Andrew S. Draper, September 7, 1887, 
were as follows: Frank B. Arnold, Unadilla; James 
Stewart, George L Wilber, Walter L. Brown. Eugene 
Raymond, Willard E. Yager, Reuben Reynolds, 
William H. Morris, all of Oneonta; Charles D. 
Hammond and Frederick A. Mead of Albany; 
Samuel M. Thurber. East Worcester. When, on 
September 13, 1887, the members of the board met and 



The present local board is constituted as follows: 



WILLIAM H. MORRIS, President, Oneonta, 

HARTFORD D. NELSON, Secretary, " 

DAVID WHIPPLE. Treasurer, 

WALTER L. BROWN. 

lAMES STEWART, - - - " 

GEORGE I. WILBER. 

EUGENE RAYMOND, -" Brooklyn, 

WILLARD E. YAGER, - - Oneonta, 

REUBEN REYNOLDS, - 

GEORGE KIRKLAND, - 

FREDERICK A. MEAD, - - Albany, 

HOBART KRUM, - - - Schoharie, 



N.Y. 



N. Y. 
N. Y. 



N. Y. 
N.Y. 



The First Faculty. — James M. Milne was elected 
Principal April 19. 1888, and on April 22, 1889, the 
additional members of the faculty were chosen. 
The first faculty was constituted as follows: 

James M. Milne, A. M., Ph. D.. Principal; Percy 
I. BuGBEE, A. M., Mathematics; Charles N. Cobb, 
A. M., Science; Edwin F. Bacon, Ph. B., Modern 
Languages; William N. Aber, A. B., Ancient 
Languages; Emory P. Russell, Music; Eli/.abktii 




OLD NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING. 



and organized, the following officers were chosen: 
William H. Morris, president; Eugene Raymond, 
secretary; James Stewart, treasurer. 

Changes in Members. — On July 5, 1890, Samuel 
M. Thurber resigned and Fred. E. Sloan was ap- 
pointed to fill the vacancy. On Sept. i, 1890, Hart- 
ford D. Nelson was appointed member of the board. 
Fred. E. Sloan died Oct- 6. 1890, and on Nov. 19 
David Whipple was appointed. Dec. 11, 1890, 
Frank B. Arnold died, and on the 22d of the same 
month Hobart Krum was appointed in his stead. 
Charles D. Hammond resigned Dec. 17, 1894, and 
on Jan. 18, 1895, George Kirkland was appointed to 
the place thus made vacant. 

The following changes have occurred in the offi- 
cers of the board: Eugene Raymond resigned his 
office June 6, 1891, and Walter L. Brown was 
elected in his place. May 24, 1894, Walter L. Brown 
resigned his position as secretary, and Hartford D. 
Nelson was elected to that position. James Stewart 
resigned his office as treasurer of me local board 
Sept. 6, 1892, and David Whipple was elected to the 
vacancy. 



Weingand, Methods; Harriet T. Saneord, B. S., 
Rhetoric and Literature; Elisabeth B. McLellan, 
Drawing and Gymnastics; Helen E. Carpenter, 
Elocution; Anna Gertrude Childs, A. B.. Princi- 
pal of Intermediate Dep't ; Grace Bell Latimer, 
B. S., Critic of Intermediate Dep't ; Frances A. 
Hurd, Principal of Primary Dep't; Mary E. Gillis, 
Critic of Primary Dep't. 

Changes in the Faculty.— In the middle of the first 
year, Emory P. Russell tendered his resignation, 
which was accepted, and for the rest of the year the 
music work was carried on by Jeannette E. Fisher. 
At the end of the first year, William N. Aber re- 
signed the Chair of Classics, and in his place Vernon 
P. Squires was appointed. Anna Gertrude Childs 
was chosen to succeed Emor}'^ P. Russell as teacher 
of music. Grace Bell Latimer was made principal 
of the Intermediate and Frances A. Hurd was as- 
signed to the position of critic in the Intermediate 
Department. Mary E. Gillis was made principal of 
the Primary Department, and Elizabeth R. Hull was 
chosen as critic of the same department. 

In the middle of the second j'ear Harriet Sanford 
severed her connection with the school, and for the 



THE ONEONTA HLSTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



balance of that year her work was carried on bj' Mrs. 
Ida F. Bugbee. At the end of that year Elisabeth 
McLellan resigned tlie position of teacher of Draw- 
ing and Gymnastics. Helen E. Carpenter also 
closed lier connection with the school. Harriet A. 
Gates was appointed to the position of Drawing, and 
Winifred E. Parsons to the position of Elocution 
and Gymnastics. Alice Gray Both well was ap- 
pointed teaciier of Literature and Rhetoric. 

At the end of the third school year the resignation 
of Mary E. Gillis was accepted, and Gertrude M. 
Stewart was elected principal of the Primary Depart- 
ment. 

At the end of the fourth 3'ear Charles N. Cobb 
resigned the Chair of Science, and Howard Lj'on 
was elected in his place. Vernon P. Squires re- 
signed the position of Classics, and Frank D. Blod- 
gett was elected to the vacancj'. Elizabeth R. Hull 
resigned her position of critic of the Primary De- 
partment, and for her place Florence M Matteson 
was chosen. Grace Bell Latimer was transferred to 
the Normal Department as teacher of Mathematics 



English Literature and Rhetoric, and Charles J. 
Staples succeeded him as principal of the Interme- 
diate and teacher of Gymnastics. Wincha L. CoUom 
was elected teacher of Gyinnastics and History. 
Frances Tappan was elected to the position of Sci- 
ence and General Assistant, and Frances A. Hurd 
was transferred to the Normal Department as teacher 
of Science and Writing. Gertrude L. Coddington 
was added to the faculty as assistant in Mathematics 
and Languages. 

September i, 1S89, N. C. Crouch was appointed 
b)' the local board engineer and janitor of the school. 
September i, 1892, he resigned, and William H. 
Whitney was appointed in his place. On September 
r, 1893. William H. Whitney was appointed engin- 
eer, and Samuel Ferns was appointed janitor. 

The present faculty is constituted as follows : 



JAMES M. MILNE, A. M. 
ARTHUR M. CURTIS. B. 
EDWIN F. BACON. Ph. E 



Ph. D., Didactics. 
S., Mathematics. 
>., Modern Languages. 




SCIENCE— NORMAL SCHOOL. 



and Science, and Wilbur H. L5'nch was elected prin- 
cipal of the Intermediate Department and teacher of 
Gj'mnastics. 

Earl)' in the fifth year Gertrude M. Stewart re- 
signed, and Cora H. Pettit was elected to fill the 
position of principal of the Primary Department. 

At the end of the sixth year, Elizabeth Weingand 
severed her connection with the school, and Kate 
M. Denison was chosen teacher of Methods. Percy 
I. Bugbee resigned the Chair of Mathematics, and 
Arthur M. Curtis was chosen to fill the vacancy. 
Wilbur H. Lynch resigned his position, and Charles 
A. Schumaker was elected to the vacant position. 
Genevieve lugersoll was added to the faculty as 
critic and teacher of Grammar, and Heleu E. 
Scramling was elected to the position of Elocution. 

Early in the seventh year Alice Gray Bothwell 
oiTered her resignation, which was accepted, and her 
literature work was carried on throughout the year 
by Marian Yager. At the end of the seventh year 
Grace Bell Latimer and Winifred Parsons resigned. 
Charles A. Schumaker was appointed teacher of 



FRANK D. BLODGETT, A. B.. A. M., Ancient 
Languages. 

HOWARD LYON, A. B., M. S., Science. 

KATE M. DENISON., Methods. 

ANNA GERTRUDE CHILDS, A. B., A. M., 
Music and Criticism. 

HARRIET A. GATES, Drawing, Methods and 
Criticism. 

HELEN E. SCRAMLING., Expression and Read- 
ing. 

FRANCES A. HURD., Science, Writing and 
Criticism. 

CHARLES A. SCHUMAKER, A. B., Ph. D. 
Rhetoric, Literature and Historj'. 

WINCHA L. COLLOM., Physical Culture and 
History. 

GERTRUDE L. CODDINGTON, A. B., Assistant 
in Mathematics and Languages. 

FRANCES TAPPAN., Science and General As- 
sistant. 

CHARLES J. STAPLES, A. B., Gymnastics and 
Principal of Intermediate Dept. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



CORA H. PETTIT., Principal of Primary Depart- 
ment. 

FLORENCE M. MATTESON., Physical Geography 
and Criticism. 

GENEVIEVE INGERSOLL., Grammar and Criti- 
cism. 

School Organizations. — Within the school, quite a 
number of societies and organizations have sprung 
up, which have for their aim mutual helpfulness, re- 
laxation and special general culture. Tlie following 
are the more general bj' name, with the dates of their 
organization or establishment ; 

Dec. 13, 1SS9. Beta Chapter of Delphic Society. 

(Gentlemen.) 
Feb. 4, i8go. Beta Chapter of Clionian Society. 

(Ladies.) 
Feb. 26, 1S90. Base Ball Association. 
Oct. 15, i8qo. Oneonta Musical and Lecture 

Course Association. 
April 15, iSgi. Normal Orchestra. (Ladies and 

Gentlemen/* 



passed over as a legacy to those managing the af- 
fairs in the school or out of it. Although the total 
attendance of the first year was only 143 Normal 
students, the last year nearly 600 Normal students 
were in attendance, and over 100 were graduated. 
Over 400 have already been graduated from this in- 
stitution, and nearly every one has taught in the 
public schools of the state. A large number are al- 
ready holding commanding executive or class-room 
positions. No Normal School can show a record in 
whicti as great a proportion of graduates has taught, 
or in which as high salaries have been paid to gra- 
duates. The desire for Oneonta graduates through- 
out the State is constantl)^ increasing, and the demand 
is always greater than the suppl}'. Whatever may 
be the future of this institution, its past, at least, is 
secure and honorable. Its efforts to-day are full of 
that spirit of progress which keeps in touch with 
varying and ever widening demands, full of the 
spirit of truth that rests on everlasting foundations, 
and full of the genius of that courage and hard work 
which will command success and bring things to pass. 




I,IBR.\RY. 



April 17, 1S91. Beta Chapter of Agonian Society. 
(Ladies.) 

May 15, 1S91. Beta Chapter of Philalethean So- 
ciety. (Gentlemen.) 

June 30, 1891. Alumni Association. 

March, 1S93. Oneontan. (School Monthly ) 

Sept. 30, 1893. Hermania. (German Society.) 

March, 1S94. Hermania Monthly. (German ) 

Sept. 18, 1S94. Athletic Association. 

Oct. 20, 1S94. Epsilon Chapter of Arethusa So- 
ciety. (Ladies.) 

Sept. 14, 1S95. Beta Chapter of Alpha Delta So- 
cietj'. (Ladies.) 

Sept. 20, 1895. T^mes M. Milne Hose Company, 

Oct. 23, 1895. Students Guild. 

Oct. 2, 1896. Normal Glee Club. (Gentlemen.) 

The School Growth, — The growth of the Oneonta 
Normal has in a sense been phenomenal. Without 
a large body of Alumni to herald its worth, it has 
gradually forged to the fore-front. The hard work 
of the founders of the institution seems to have been 



M. Gurney was born of Quaker parentage in the 
town of Maryland, August 29, 1830, and he was the 
second of eight children, of whom six are still living. 
While a lad he entered the employ of the late John T. 
Thompson as clerk in his store at Maryland. Later 
he was employed by Elisha S. Steere of Laurens and 
in 1854 he was married to Miss Margaret Every of 
that place. In partnership with Mr. Comstock, his 
brother-in-law, he succeeded Mr. Steere in business, 
establishing the firm of Comstock & Gurney, which 
continued until the death of the senior partner, when 
the late LeRoy Tucker entered the firm, which car- 
ried on for several years a prosperous business as 
Gurney & Tucker. Mr. Gurney's business career at 
Laurens extended over a period of fifteen years, at 
the end of which time he removed to Michigan, 
where he remained only one year, returning on ac- 
count of ill health, and soon after settling in One- 
onta. For sixteen years he was postmaster and 
justice of the peace at Laurens, and he was the third 
chief of the Oneonta fire department and one of the 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



charter members ut the Hook and Ladder company. 
For many years, also, he had been citizen member 
of the board of health, and since its organization 
secretar}' of the Glenwood cemetery association. 
He belonged to the Oneonta club to the Masonic 
order, being a member of the blue lodge at Oneonta 
and of the Malta commander}' at Binghamton. 

He was a regular attendant and a liberal supporter 
of the Methodist church. His wife died in 1S90. 
On the day of his funeral all places of business in 
town were closed. By the request of the family 
there was no parade or display, but all prominent 
organizations were represented and the attendance 
of citizens was large. 

The Woman's Club of Oneonta. — The Woman's 
Club of Oneonta was organized Februarj' 13, 1S94, 
with one hundred and eleven members, its first of- 
ficers being Mrs. Ida Bugbee, President ; Mrs 
Elizabeth A. W. Case, Vice-President; Mrs. Nellie 



in French, Spanish, English and American history, 
current topics, botany, parliamentary usage, art, 
embroidery, cooking, physical culture, harmon}-, a 
ladies' chorus and a mandolin and guitar club. The 
first Tuesday evening of each month is devoted to a 
musical and literary program for the whole club, the 
last one being a review of the year's work in all of 
its divisions. The third Thursday of each month an 
informal reception is held, four of the ladies receiv- 
ing from three to half after five o'clock. Aside from 
the entertainments by the club members during the 
present year parlor entertainments are to be given 
bj' distinguished women, also cooking lessons b}- 
one of the most celebrated cooking teachers. 
Through July and August the regular work is sus- 
pended, the rooins being accessible to the members 
during the whole year. The present officers are. 




4.SSEIMBLY- 

H. Miller, Secretary; Miss ^L^y Whipple, Corres- 
ponding Secretary; Miss May Wilson, Treasurer: 
Mrs. Susan Baird, Mrs. Mary A. Miller. Miss Grace 
Bell Latimer and Mrs. Ella M. Ford, Directors. 
Under the laws of the State of New York the club 
was incorporated September 7, 1S94. At the close 
of the first year the 200 membership limit h.id been 
reached, and it was found necessary to remove from 
the flat in the Ray block to the pleasant suite of 
rooms now occupied by the club in the Exchange 
block, Dietz street, consisting of an auditorium 
seating about 200, a handsome parlor, reception 
room, well lighted reading room and class ro.om, 
which were handsomel}' decorated and furnished to 
meet the needs of the club. On account of its size 
the club is divided into classes, members choosing 
the lines of study. With the exception of the lan- 
guages, the classes are conducted by the members 
in weekl}' meetings. Classes have been maintained 



NORMAL SCHOOL. 

President, Mrs. Harriet E. Stone ; Vice-President, 
Mrs. Miriam Lyon ; Recording Secretary, Miss 
Elizabeth M. Blaicely ; Corresponding Secretary, 
Miss Kittle A. French; Treasurer, Miss May Wilson; 
Board of Directors, Mrs. Lillian Kirkland, Mrs. 
Helen Scramling, Mrs. Ada Morris, Mrs. Maria 
Young. Directors of classes are: American His- 
tory. Mrs. Bugbee; Art History, Mrs. Winifred 
Ford ; Chorus, Miss Anna Gertrude Childs ; Cur- 
rent Topics, Mrs. Elisabeth Case ; Embroidery, Mrs. 
Flora Gurney ; English History, Mrs. Susan Baird ; 
English Literature, Miss Mary Woodin ; French, 
Miss Gregory; Harmony, Mrs. Ella M. Ford; 
Mandolin and Guitar, Mrs. Nellie H. Miller. 

The First National Bank was organized in 1871. 
The officers have shown themselves to be men of 
good judgment. Aside from the regular routine of 
business this bank enjoys an enviable reputation as 
a reliable agenc)- for safe and profitable investments 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



in National, State, County and various municipal 
bonds. The negotiations of first class securities on 
an extensive scale are frequent, and the informaiion 
cheerfully given to investors is often most valuable. 
Passage tickets to and from Europe ma}'- be pur- 
chased at this institution. 

Although not generally known, the First National 
Bank for the last eight years has been one of the 
few to be included in the National Roll of Hojior 
among the man}' banks of the United States. Ten 
years ago this bank erected a large four-story brick 
block, which affords fine quarters and plenty of 
room for increasing business. It is provided with a 
Herring's Patent Champion Safe, made expressl}' to 
order, and weighs 12,000 lbs. The loan and discount 
account shows that the funds of the bank have been 
put to good use. Its surplus fund and undivided 
profits also attest the same fact. The steady increase 
of deposits bespeak the confidence of the com- 
munity. 

This is regarded as one of the safest and most 
conservative banking institutions in this part of the 



nine j'ears. He came to (Jneonta in April, 1883, 
and formed the copartnership with Mr. Bennett 
above mentioned. He married Ida Groat, of One- 
onta, April 25, 1888. He is a member of the Odd 
Fellows. Henry Bull was born in Oneonta April 
15. 1S55. At fourteen years of age he entered the 
employ of J. T. Mygatt, paper jobber, Binghamton. 
Twenty-one years ago he went into the store of W. 
L. Brown, where he remained until the present firm 
was organized. He was elected supervisor from 
Oneonta in iSSg and has been re-elected for each 
succeeding term. He served as chairman in 1894-95. 
He married Mrs. G. D. Rockwell in 1887. He is a 
member of the Oneonta club. 

The F. A. and V. Reading Circle is a small club 
of sixteen ladies. It was organized in 1893, with the 
purpose of carr3'ing on a course of pleasant reading 
in a pleasant manner, and to this end it meets one 
evening of each week at the house of one of the 
difl'erent members, where an hour and a half — from 




GYMNASIUM- 

countrj-, showing a wise and careful management 
under the following officers: Ransom Mitchell, 
President; W. T. Keyes, Vice-President; M. L. 
Keyes, Cashier; E. C. Slade, Assistant Cashier. 

The Firm of Carr & Bull, clothiers, in the Ford & 
Stewart building, is one of the largest establish- 
ments in that line of business in this count}'. It has 
the reputation for fair dealing and for selling the 
best class of goods. The business has been built 
up from a small beginning to that second to none 
between Albany and Binghamton. It was started 
on April i, 1884. by Bennett & Carr, who, during 
the preceding year had been engaged in the grocery 
trade. On August i, 1892, Mr. Bennett was suc- 
ceeded by Henry Bull, and the firm from that 
time continued the business under the name of Carr 
& Bull. The stock comprises a large selection of 
ready-made clothing, hats and caps, tuinks, bags 
and men's furnishing goods generally. .Mr. A. W. 
Carr was born in Cooperstown, March 4, i860. He 
was employed in the Journal office at that place for 



NORMAL SCHOOL. 

7:30 to 9 o'clock — is spent in reading aloud b}' one 
of the number, the others being at liberty to inter- 
rupt and discuss the subject at any time. The hour 
following is spent socially, refreshments being 
served by the hostess during the time. Both as a 
social and a literary club this circle has been greatly 
enjoyed. For the last two years the course of read- 
ing has been in the line of travels, and special inter- 
est and charm have been added to it by personal ex- 
periences of two of the members who, during these 
years, have traveled quite extensively in our own 
and foreign countries. For the purposes of the circle 
the onlyofficer needed is a president, who is chosen 
at the first meeting in each year. Socially the meet- 
ings are very informal and delightful, and they are 
rarely held without the full meinbership, which is 
limited to sixteen to avoid inconvenience in the or- 
dinary drawing-room. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



13 



D. J. Yager, police and civil justice, is one of the 
oldest and best known business men of Oneonta. 
With an interval of but a few j-ears, during which 
time he was engaged in the coal business, he has 
served in that office since 1862. He has been 
prominently identified with the public improvements 
in the village, having been one of the promoters of 
both banks, and of the water supply, all of wliich 
associations, excepting the Wilber Bank, he is a 
stockholder. From 1S45 to 1857, he was a leading 
dry goods merchant, being a member successively of 
the firms of D. J. Yager & Co., Yager & Dietz, 
Yager & Reynolds and Yager & Ford. During his 
most active business career, he constructed several 
buildings in the village, including a number of fine 
residences ; also the large hotel near the depot, 
known as the Hathaway House. Mr. Yager was 
born in Onconta, September 6, 1S25. He attended 
the district schools, and at the age of thirteen years 



E. D. Hirshey, the fashionable mtrchant tailor, in 
the Reynolds block, learned his trade in Paris, where 
he began at 15 years of age under the instruction of 
the best tailors, learning to cut and make up stylish 
goods. He came from France five years ago, and 
after working in New York awhile located in 
Oneonta, Feb. i, r894. He carries a large line of 
both domestic tind imported goods, and all work in 
his shop is under his personal supervision. His 
business includes all kinds of merchant tailoring and 
his customers are among the best people in town. 
He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Knights 
of Pythias. 

The Oneonta Water Works Company draws its 
suppl}^ from the Oneonta creek and living springs 
adjacent thereto. This was formerly a trout stream 
and the water is soft, pure and clear. The works 
were built in 1882, with a distributing reservoir 
having the caparit\- nf 25,000 000 of gallons and 




DRAWING ROOM.— NORMAI, SCHOOL 



entered the emplo}' of Cook & Brown. Three years 
later he engaged as a clerk with George W. Ernst at 
Cooperstowi), where he remained for two years He 
then returned to Oneonta and entered a clerkship 
for the firm of Solon and C. P. Huntington, the two 
men who have since become world-wide known as 
railroad magnates. When he left their employ tw > 
years afterwards it was to engage in the business for 
himself, in which he became successful. David 
Yager, his father, was a native of Rensselaer county. 
He came to Oneonta in 1808 and settled on a farm. 
He died in June, 1851, and his wife was buried three 
days later. They left a famil)- of nine children. The 
survivorsare : lYrs. Julia Tuttle of McConnellsvilie, 
Oneida county, and the subject of tins sketch The 
latter married Emogcne L., the daughter of Elisha 
Shepard of Oneonta. on Ma}' 23, 1849. There are 
four children : Willard E., and Miss Marion of 
Oneonta, Mrs. Florence Y. Loomis of New York ; 
and Mrs Alice, the wife of Mr. Frederick G. Mather, 
the well known writer and legislative correspondent 
of Albany. 



covering about ten acres of ground. It is at an 
elevation of 202 feet above the Albany and Susque- 
hanna tracks and about two miles distant from the 
village. The water is brought into town by gravity 
and the fall is sufficient to raise a stream above the 
tallest buildings. In order to keep ahead of the 
increased demands made possible by the growth of 
the town, a storage reservoir was begun in 1886, which 
was nearly two 3'ears in building, and when finished 
it proved to be the largest artificial lake or reservoir 
owned by any water works compan}* or city in the 
State outside of greater New York, covering 75 acres 
and having the capacity of 500,000,000 gallons. The 
embankment alone is 60 feet high. The site of this 
reservoir is 450 feet above the town and four miles 
distant. Its cost was more than twice the amount 
spent in building the original works. Pure water 
drawn from living springs and running brooks is the 



14 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR 



chief factor insuring the general good health for 
which Oneonta is noted. That was the main point 
kept in view when the plans for building the water 
works were finall}^ adopted ; and the question of 
expense was made subordinate to the necessitj' of 
obtaining pure water. The water company has not 
spared expense or trouble in protecting the supply. 
It has gone so far as to secure the passage of a 
special act of the Legislature protecting this water 
shed in a greater degree than is obtained under the 
general law. The officers and board of directors: 
George I. Wilbur, President; T. A. Norton, Vice- 



ness is done is shown in the fact that the total losses 
on loans and discounts from the beginning to the pre- 
sent time, aggregate less than $1,000. This is 
almost an unparalleled record. The bank was or- 
ganized in 1874, with the Hon. David VVilber, presi- 
dent ; the Hon. Wm. C. Fields, vice-president ; 
George I. Wilber, cashier ; E. A. Scramling, assist- 
ant cashier. The first report of the condition of the 
bank, issued in June, of that year, showed the de- 
posits to be $78,729.64. The deposits as shown by 
the report of this year had increased to $778,116.65. 
The total resources in the first report were $167,- 
774.09. At this time, or rather when the last report 
was issued, they were $1,199,237.82. The present 
board of officers : President, George I. Wilber ; 

































M 







■m 




CHAPIN MEMORIAL CHURCH, 



President and Secretary ; J. G. Hoyt, Superin- 
tendent; William Morris, George W. Fairchild and 
James Stewart. 

The Wilber National Bank is one of the best 
known of banking institutions in the State. Its 
capital is $100,000. The surplus $200,000 is the 
largest in proportion to the capital of that held by 
anj^ National bank, except one, between Albany and 
Buffalo. The amount of business now being done 
by this institution is shown in the last government 
report which discloses the fact that the undivided 
profits, in addition to the surplus, is $31,823.67. 
The very careful and safe manner in which the busi- 



vii:e-president and cashier, E. A. Scramling; assist- 
ant cashier, Samuel H. Potter; teller, Silas 1. Wright. 

Henry Saunders has carried on the book and 
stationery business in Oneonta for more than twenty- 
five years. His place of business is in the McCrum 
block at the corner of Main and Broad streets, and 
it is one of the largest established stores in this vil- 
lage. As a dealer in that line of merchandise he is 
very widelv known, having the reputation of being 
the leader, and of being first to place before local 
trade the newest and most popular publications. 
Mr. Saunder's was born in Burnt Hills, Saratoga 
county, December 25, 1852. When he was thirteen 



THE ONEONTA HIvSTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



15 



years old he came to Oiieonta to live with his grand- 
father, Mr. E. R. Ford, and attend school. At eight- 
teen years of age he entered the employ of A. D. 
Dye as clerk, and the following year was admitted 
as a partner. Their store was, at that time, at the 
foot of Chestnut street, but has since been swept 
away by fire, and the old site is now the beginning of 





FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 

the street, known as Chestnut extension. In 1S73, 
the firm moved into the store, which he now occupies, 
and where, during nearly a quarter of a century the 
business has increased in importance, keeping pace 
with the growth of the town and the demands of 
trade. This building was constructed b\^ his father 
and Mr. McCrum. In 1875, Mr. Saunders succeeded 
Mr. D3'e, as sole proprietor. He has from time to 
time added very largel}* to the stock until the scope 
of his trade includes every article customaril}' kept 
on sale in large retail book stores. He married 
Carrie, the daughter of Sherman Hine of Franklin, 
Delaware county, October 16, 18S4. 

Frederick L. Dibble, who does a successful grocer}- 
business at No. 15 Diet/, street, and whose trade in- 
cludes man)' of the best families, opened the busi- 
ness on Broad street, on January i, 1892, and three 
months later removed to No. 176 Main street, where 
he remainetl until April 1. 1S96, when he moved 
into his present quarters. He was born September 16, 
1854, in Davenport, Delaware count}'. On March. 
4, 1886, he married Miss Jane Catharine, the daugh- 
ter of Robert Tunnard of Waierford, Saratoga couniy. 
The business he is conducting includes all branches 
of the grocery trade. Hy strict attention to the 
wants of his patrons and by fair and conscientious 
dealings Mr. Dibble has drawn to himself a large 
ciicle of desirable patrons. Although the business 
is comparatively new it is constantly expanding with 
flattering prospects for the future. The stock em- 
braces many lines of fine and imported groceries. 
Mr. Dibble handling none but the very best. He is a 
member of the Oneonta Lodge I. O. O. F. and the 
Knights of Pythias. 

Marquis L. Keyes was born in Mt. Vision, Octo- 
ber 24, 1841. He was educated at the Franklin 
Literary Institute. After leaving shool he spent five 
years at Aurora, 111., was principal of the graded 
school, and engaged in financial investments. In 



1874 he entered the employ of the First National! 
Bank of Oneonta, N. Y., and in 1875 was elected 
cashier, and has held that office continuously up to 
the present time; he had had no previous experience 
when he assumed his duties, nevertheless he has 
proved the right man in the right place. He has 
large investments in real estate, is Vice-President of 
the Oneonta Gas and Elec- 
tric Light Co. Mr. Keyes 
is a charter member of 
the Oneonta Building and 
Loan Association of which 
he is one of the directors, 
also a director of the First 
National Bank at Bain- 
bridge, N. Y., and First 
National Bank of Morris, 
N. v., besides being con- 
nected with various other 
enterprises. He has 
always been like his father 
before him, a life -long 
democrat. In 1873 he 
married Helena, daughter 
of Martin Pruyn, of Mt. 
\'ision. He has two 
children, a daughter, Eva 
B., and son, De Forest 
Keyes. 

Hervey Keyes, the 
father of the subject of this 
sketch, Marquis L. Keyes, 
was born in 1803. He 
was a merchant at Mt. 
Vision for a number of 
years, and was prominent 
in the days of State mili- 
tary training. He was ap- 




^..ASjaaSSHi ^Bwimmm t 



pointed and held various offices, was made Colonel 
of the Eleventh Regiment of Cavalry, and per- 
forrned the duties of his office acceptably, was ten- 
dered the office of General, but declined. In 1851 
was elected member of Assembly from the second 
assembly district of Otsego County. He married 
Margaret, the daughter of Peter and Elizabctli 
Marlette of the town of Milfor 1. 



PRI.VI.\RY SCHOOL. 

The First Presbyterian Church justly claims prece- 
dence as the oldest in town and one of the oldest in 
this section. It was founded in 1786, Rev. John 
Toll being the first pastor. The church was not in- 
corporated, however, until 1815. Oneonta at that 
time did not exist as a separate town. The old 
articles of incorporation read as follows: " At a 
meeting of a part of the inhabitants of the towns of 
.Milford, Otsego Co., and Kortright, Delaware Co., 



i6 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



held at Milfonl on the 24 of June, 1S15, for the pur- 
pose of organizing themselves into a religious bod}', 
Asel Marvin was chosen chairman and Jacob Dietz 
clerk. Resolved: That we be incorporated into a 
body to be known as the Second Presbj'terian 
Church of Milford." The parchment record books 
of the sessions dating back to 1799 are in the posses- 
sion of the church and contains much quaint and 
curious information in regard to the early life of the 
community. The first building v/as erected in 1816, 
and the present structure was dciiicnted with im- 




KIRST B.\PTIS'r CHURCH. 

pressive "ceremonies in 18S7. During its long ex- 
istence the church has been served by twenty-two 
pastors. Its liistory is largely that of the commu- 
nity in the midst of which it has stood and whose 
vicissitudes, struggles and prosperity it has shared. 
Many of the names of its honored and success- 
ful citizens are on its long roll of mem- 
bership and many in other communities re- 
member it with alTection and gratitude. It 
is believed that the church is to-day in the most 
flourishing and prosperous condition of its history. 
It is absolutely out of debt, and even in the present 
"hard times" has been making splendid gains in 
every direction. To illustrate its financial prosperity, 
it may be stated that its income has more than dou- 
bled during the past ten years. During the same 
time its membership has increased by 79, which is 
the largest gain ever made during a similar period. 
The official boards of the church, under whose effi- 
cient and liberal management such pronounced suc- 
cess has been achieved, are as follows: Rev. Ne\^ ton 
M. Hall, pastor and moderator of the session. The 
session: D. A. H. Brownell, clerk; H. D. Alden, A. 
C. Holley, H. W. Morenus. T D. Watkins, F. H. 
Stone. A. B. Tobey, G. N. Rowe. The trustees: 
I. L. Miller, president; C. E. Ford, W. P. Blakeiy. 
T. A. Norton, C. K. Lauren, A. Morris; clerk. 
Giant Pelton. Deacons: G. L. Pratt, B. C. Lauren. 
Deaconesses: Mrs. S. Hill, .Mrs. (). W. Peck, .Mrs. 
C. K. Lauren. The church edifice occupies a 
commanding position in the heart of Oneont;i, situ- 
ated on Main street, facing Elm. The buildings, 
which constitute the valuable propert}', rise from 
terraced lawns somewhat back from the street. The 
church edifice is of brick, with stone trimmings. 



The interior is attractiveh' furnished, lighted by 
stained-glass windows, and fitted with beautiful 
electric chandeliers. Adjoining the church is the 
brick parsonage, a comfortable and handsome resi- 
dence. The pastor is assisted in his work by vari- 
ous societies and organizations. All of which are 
most active and enthusiastic in their co-operation. 
Chief among these auxiliaries is the Sunday-school. 
No branch of the church work has shown more 
encouraging activity and advancement than the Sun- 
day-school — Ai the last "Rally Day." It reached 
high-water mark in attendance, the number present 
being 367. Still more striking as showing the gain 
in the past two years is the average attendance for 
the month of September. In 1S94, it was 204; in 
1S95, 227; in 1896, 299. Better still than mere num- 
bers is the enthusiasm and ioyait}' of teachers and 
scholars. The enthusiastic, devoted and self- 
sacrificing superintendent is A. H. Brownell, M. D., 
who is ably supported by the following officers: 
Assistants, B. C. Lauren, Lulu Hurlbutt, George 
Norton, Arthur Palmer: treasurer, J. S. Lauren; 
secretar}-. II. S. Rowe; assistant secretary, Bert 
Hitchcock; librarian, H. P. Tompkins; assistant, 
Edith jM. Wheeler. A kindergarten department is 
in charge of Mrs. A. H. Brownell, assisted by Miss 
May Scott. Bible classes are taught by Dr. [, M. 
Milne, Mr. A. B. Tobey, Prof. F. D. Blodgett, Mrs. 
A. B. Tobey and Miss Kittle French. The Y. P. S. 
C. E,, organized in i8Sg, with a membership of 13, 
has had a most prosperous history. Its membership 
is now about 125. During the past three years it 
lias given over $250.00 to 
home and foreign mis- 
sions. It holds frequent 
social entertainni e nt s . 
and its loval support o 



the church in 
e\ cry particu- 
lai is most 
ni;nked. The 
ofiu er s are: 
Prt^idtnt, A. 
( Palmer; 




TOWN CLOCK BUILDING, 
vice-president, Elizabeth Miller; recording secre- 
tary, Carrie Robinson; corresponding secreiar}", 
Elizabeth M. Blakeiy, 26 Elm street; treasurer. Bur- 
ton Hotaling; assistant treasurer. (3hloe Olmstead; 
missionary treasurer, H. S. Rowe; and the chair- 
men of committees: Lookout. Lilian Cowan; prayer 
meeting, Martha Marters; social, C. I). Vosburg; 
missionary, Lulu Hurlbutt; music, Albert Hitch- 
cock; Sunday-school, Clara \'an Dycke. No 
branch of the church work is more faithfully 
performed than that under the direction of the 
Ladies' Missionary Societ)'. Missionary spirit is fos- 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



17 



tered by monthI\' meetings for the discussion of the 
active work in the field, and twice a year a supper 
is given, the proceeds of which swell the missionary 
funds. The last semi-annual report shows that over 
.f 100 had been contributed. The officers are : Presi- 
dent, Mrs. Alva Seybolt ; First Vice-President, Mrs. 
H. D. Alden ; Second Vice-President, Mrs. Nathan- 
iel Compton ; Secretary, Mrs. C. K. Lauren ; Treas- 
urer, Mrs. D. B. Holmes. The social activity of the 
church is maintained by the Ladies' Aid Society, 
whose membership includes nearly all the ladies of 
the church. Most popular are the appetizing suppers 
which are served, and the " New Year's dinner" has 
become an annual event which has spread the fame 
of the ladies as 
successful enter- 
tainers. Concerts 
and ent e r t a i n - 
ments of various 
kinds prove at- 
tractive features, 
promoting socia- 
bility and swell- 
ing the exchequer 
of the society. 
The officers are : 
President, Mrs. 
Albert Morris; 
Vice - Presidents, 
Mrs. E. M. John- 
son, Mrs. A. B. 
Tobey, Mrs. F. H. 
Stone, Mrs. C. K. 
Lauren, Mrs. A. 
Seybolt, Mrs. J. A. 
Millard, Mrs. S. 
H. Taylor, Mrs. 
Anna Blac kail, 
Mrs. Robert Fur- 
man, Mrs. Etta 
Parish, Mrs. G.N. 

Rowe, Mrs. C._F. Shell and Miss Harriet Glazier; Sec- 
retary, Elizabeth M. Blakeley; Treasurer, Mrs. A. D. 
Getman. A 3'oung men's society, composed largelj' 
of members of Prot. Hlodgett's Bible class, has 
been formed. The work of the societ)^ has not yet 
been fully developed, but special efforts will be 
made through it to interest voun? men in the work 
and life of the church. Informal receptions are 
given, and a course of " talks" by prominent men 
is planned for the winter. The officers are as fol- 
lows : President, A. C. Palmer; Vice-President, 
John Nailor ; Secretary, .A. R. Brown : Treasurer, 
Albert Bush. Among the recent organizations of 
the church none is more thoroughly earnest and 
"alive" than the Boys' Brigade, numbering forty 
members. It holds a weekly drill and a Sunday 
morning prayer meeting. Last summer the first 
annual " camp " was held at Lake Crumborn. The 
week's outing was a source of great enjoyment to 
the boys. Plans are on foot for srreatly increasing 
the efficiency and value of the organization. The 
officers are : Captain; Fred. N. Van Wie ; First 
Lieutenant, Albert Bush : Second Lieutenant, Clif- 




BURR MATTICE, JUSTICE, 6th JUDICIAL DISTRICT. 



ford Morris: Sergeants— First, Burton Hotaling ; 
Second, Vernon Holme ; Third, Frank Howard ; 
Corporals — First, Oakley Hogan : Second, How- 
ard Alden ; Third, Clarence Hall ; Fourth, Wil- 
liam Thompson ; Quartermaster, Frank Johnson. 
The church makes its music a prominent feature in its 
service, and employs the best singers that it is possi- 
ble to obtain. The followiuir is the musical organ- 
ization : Director, William Lloyd ; Organist, Miss 
Emily Abell. Quartette: Tenor, William Lloyd, 
Miss Lulu O. Tanner, soprano ; Miss Josephine 
Axtell, alto ; Fred W. Davies, basso. Male Quar- 
tette : William Lloyd, Fred Davies, George Purick, 
H. W. Terrell. Chorus Choir : Ethel Dillenbeck, 

Mabel E. Robin- 
son, Chloe 01 m- 
stead, Lulu Den- 
nis, Elsa Gard- 
ner, Grace Vos- 
burg, Carrie Head, 
Ophelia MacDon- 
ald, Anna Mac- 
Don aid, Inez 
Gray, Minna 
Crum, M. E. Bax- 
ter, Henry Mc- 
Donough. The 
church is not con- 
tent to rest upon 
its past achieve- 
ments and suc- 
cesses. It is look- 
ing forward to a 
future which shall 
make it a still 
larger factor in 
' the moral growth 
of t he commu- 
nity, and enable 
it to occupy a still 
wider sphere of 
usefulness. The 
present accommodations are too small and cramped 
for its rapidly increasing membership, and its fac- 
ilities for active church work far too limitt^J. Plans 
are being considered for the erection, in the near 
future, of a " parish house" for the accommodation of 
the Sunday school, and for the many social activities 
of the modern church. This house will contain a large 
assembly room to be used for prayer meetings, and 
the Sunday school. Separate rooms for Sunday 
school classes and the various organizations of the 
church, dining room and kitchen, drill hall and 
armory for the Boy's Brigade. The church will then 
be most eflfectually equipped for the aggressive 
Christian work, for the broad activities which are 
demanded of the city church of the present day. To 
this field of enlarged and increased usefulness the 
church is looking forward with confidence and ex- 
pectation. 

Rev. Newton Marshall Hall was born in Manches- 
ter, N. H. He was educated at Dartmouth college, 
from which he received the degrees A. B. and A. M., 
and at Andover Theological Seminary. Before 
graduating at Andover he was appointed "Ames 



i8 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



Professor of English Language and Literature " at 
Iowa college, the oldest and most important denomi- 
national college in the west. After two years of suc- 
cessful service here he was obliged to resign on 
account of ill-health. After a period of rest he ac- 
cepted the call of the First Presbyterian church at 
Oneonta. Mr. Hall has found time amid other duties 
for considerable literary work, articles and poems 
from his pen having appeared in some of the leading 
periodicals. He is a member of the " Society of the 
Sons of the American Revolution." 

Briggs & Miller, contractors and builders, and 
extensive dealers in lumber, wool, butter, hides and 
tallow, do a business amounting to !J|!ioo,ooo a year 
Both are prominent in public affairs and are identi- 
fied with sev- 



eral local en- 
te r p r i se s . 
Mr. Nathan 
H. Briggs has 
been in the 
lumber busi- 
n e s s for 
many years. 
He was born 
in R o s e - 
bo o m , O t - 
sego county, 
December30, 
1846. Learn- 
ing the car- 
penter's trade 
at an early 
age he fol- 
lowed that 
occupati on, 
largely, until 
March, 1883. 
vvnennecame 
to Oneo n t a 
and began 
taking c o n- 
tracts for 
large work. 
Two years 
later he for- 
med a co- 
partners h i p 




with W m . 
Scot t , who 

soon after withdrew. On July 7, 1888, the part- 
nership of Briggs & Miller was formed, the latter, 
having already established a considerable business 
in produce. This firm has given employment to as 
many as sixty men, although on the average it 
keeps thirty hands at work. It has built several 
buildings in Oneonta including churches, schools, 
business blocks and many fine residences. The 
Briggs & Miller building on Main street, comprising 
three stories with an imposing front was constructed 
three years ago: also the Stevens & Hills and the B. 
L. Piatt blocks. Mr. Briggs served as a village 
trustee for six years. He is a member of the Free 
Will Baptist church, is a zealous supporter of the 
Y. M. C. A. and is oneof the directors of the Building 
and Loan Association. He married Hannah E. Con- 
gor, of Meredith, Delaware county, December 15, 



- \ 
SENATOR WALTER L. BROWN. 



1870 R W. Miller was born in Oneonta March 26. 
1S46. For nineteen years he was engaged in the 
produce business, also buying hops; first with his 
father, D. M. Miller; afterwards in the firm of Miller, 
Vusl.urgh it Co for five years, and about the same 
length of time in the firm of Vosburgh &: Miller. He 
married Julia Del incy of South Edmoston, in 1871. 
He is a member of the Free Baptist church. 

Hartford D. Nelson was born June 9, 1852. studied 
law with Hon. Jas. Stewart and was admitted to the 
bar September 16, 1S75. Judge Nelson has been 
a justice of the peace in Oneonta from January i. 
1S77 to December 31, 1884; member of assembly from 
the second Otsego district 1883 and 1S84; and post- 
master of Oneonta from July i to October i, 18S6, at 
which time he resigned that po^^ tion to return to his 

law practice. 



Hon. George 
Scr a m 1 i n g 
died January 
30, 1887, 
being at the 
time of his 
death Otsego 
county judge, 
and on the 
i6th of Feb- 
ruary of the 
same year 
(lOvernor 
Hill appoin- 
ted Judge 
Nelson to fill 
the vacancy. 
At the suc- 
ceeding elec- 
tion he was 
ele|cte'd as 
-. county judge 
' '. and at the end 
/ of his term 
' Jan u a ry i , 
,, 18S4, he re- 
turned to his 
law practice. 
Judge Nel- 
son was mar- 
ried to Eliza- 
beth Porter. 
There are two 
Seward Nelson and 



children now living, viz 
Samuel B. Nelson, both of whom reside in Oneonta. 
Mr. Nelson is at present a trustee of the Normal 
training school, and is an ex-member of the board 
of trustees of the union school. 

D. A. Boardman, the well-known manufacturer of 
harness, has been in business in Oneonta for the 
past twenty years. During that time he has made a 
reputation as a manufacturer of high-grade harness. 
He is the only man to cut and make an English 
coach harness, 'and his work has always been in 
great demand. The manufacture of harness, accord- 
ing to Mr. Boardman's policy, is gauged on the 
broad principle that a majority of the injuries to 
horses are due, in a measure, to the improper fitting 



thp: onkonta hlstorical souvenir. 



19 



and adjustment of harness, and in all cases he guar- 
antees to remedy that evil. Mr. Boardman takes 
pride in the fact that his representations are al\va)'S 
carried out to the letter. Things have greatly 
changed since Mr. Boardman learned the trade, and 
the prospects are that he will be obliged to put in 
machine-made harness. This will not prevent him 
from manufacturing to order when a customer de- 
sires hand-made work, both stylish and durable. 



ONEONT A- Traditions and Growth. 



[By Harvev Baker.] 

Oneonta is a pleasant Indian name. It date? back 
to a time when no European had entered the pro- 
vince of New York. Its early Indian name was 
spelled by the English Onahrieton, and is so spelled 
in the Otego land grant, which embraces a part of 




T. E. MARSH'S 

He learned the trade in i860, and for years worked 
for Sheldon & Moore. Mr. Boardman has for years 
been actively interested in horses and all that per- 
tains to their improvement. He is well known in 
trotting circles, and is interested in the movement to 
elevate that pastime. 

W. D. Fitzgerald. — "Grip" takes 
pleasure in sajMng a few compli- 
mentary words of W. D. Fitzgerald, 
the popular manager of the Metro- 
politan Theatre. He is well known, 
a nd, above all, well liked by travel- 
ing managers and the theatre-going 
public. The latter have learned that 
he knows how to provide good at- 
tractions. Although one of the 
youngest managers in the countr}'. 
he has proved to be a veteran in 
handling big attractions, handicap- 
ped as he is with a poor theatre. It 
is to be hoped that the time is not 
far olT when he may have a theatre 
that will be a credit to Oneonta 

The Oneonta Star Fife and Drum 
Corps was organized in August, 1S91, 
and the first appearance of the corps 
in public was on October 31st of 
that year. The name was given by The Star, 
Oneonta's lively daily newspaper. The corps pre- 
sents a ver)' nice appearance on the street and it 
is a pleasure to hear their music. Their motto is: 
"The Best in Central New Y^ork." 



DRUG STORE. 

the town of Oneonta. The same name was given the 
creek passing through the village, and also to the old 
Indian village which once occupied the lands south 
of the .Susquehanna and west of the Charlotte river. 
(In Indian the Charlotte river was called Adiqua- 
tang.) The later Indians and early white settlers 




THE HIGH SCHOOL. 

abbreviated many of the early names to the shorter 
ones now in use. Oquaga was formerly spelled 
Onuhhuhquaugch. 

Our first knowledge of our State and country dates 
back to 160S, when the river St. Lawrence was dis- 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



covered and partially ascended. Previous to that 
time our State was occupied b)' a powerful tribe of 
Indians called Tuscaroras, and that north of the 
river St. Lawrence b)' a confederac}- known as the 
" Five Nations." 




CONCrKKSSMAX D. K. WILBER. 
When the French ascended the river, at a place 
now known as the "Three Rivers," they found the 
"Five Nations" engajicd in a bloody war with a 
tribe by the name of '■ Adirondacks.' The French, 
not knowing cither's strength, at once espoused the 
side of the weaker party, and by the use of fire- 
arms they overcame the " Five Nations" and drove 
them across the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario 
into the province of New York, where they at 
once formed a friendship with the Tuscaroras, who 
years afterward settled in the Carolinas. The valley 
of the Susquehanna was found to be the most desir- 
able of all the Iroquois hunting and fishing grounds, 
and many important Indian villages were located 
therein. One was just east of Colliersville and 
north of the mouth of Schenevus Creek, one south 
of the Susquehanna and just west of the mouth 
of the Charlotte. This village was called Oneonta, 
and spelled as was the creek of the same 
name, about a mile west and north of it. The site 
of this old Indian village has produced the most 
advanced in ancient pottery of any within our valley. 
Willard Yager, and others of Oneonta, collected 
many valuable specimens of their old time Indian 
skill, which were mostly destroyed in the recent 
Normal School fire. Another large Indian village 
north of the Susquehanna river and east of the mouth 
of the Otego creek was called Wauteghe, with large 
clearings. 

Johnson's Dream Land, of which Sims and other 
historians have wrtiten, is a part of Oneonta. In 
March, 1S41. when I was stopping with Major 
Colliers, at Colliersville, he related to me what I 
believed to be the true version, viz.: "On one 
occasion when Chief Hendricks was the guest of 
Sir William Johnson over night he coveted a flashy 



gold trimmed suit of clothes. In the morning he 
said to the baronet : ' Me dream last night ! ' 
'What did my brother dream?' 'Me dream you 
gave me that suit of clothes.' His dream was 
realized. Some months later the Baronet and 
chief Hendricks happened to spend a night at the 
village of Wauteghe. Nearly opposite on the south 
side of the river rises three high hills, one nearl}^ 
opposite, one above and the other below, either of 
which commands a view of the lands north of the 
iver for about two miles below the village, and for 
a distance of about eight miles, to above Oneonta. 
with a clear view of the range of hills westerly and 
northerly of the river between these points. On the 
following morning on meeting the chief Sir William 
said: 'I too had a dream last night.' 'Ah,' 
quoth the chief, ' What did m}' pale-faced brother 
dream.' ' I dreamed that you gave me a deed of all 
the_^land I could see from yon eminence,' said Sir 
William at the same time pointing to the high hill 
opposite. Chief Hendricks stood for a few moments 
as if fully considering the matter. After a few 
moments thought he replied, ' You shall have it, but 
we will neither of us dream again.' " 

The promise was kept and surveyor Cockran made 
the survey in 1750. Ten )'ears later when the Otego 
grant or patent was surveyed the lines followed the 
Indian survey and the deeded grant from the English 
Crown in 1770. One thousand acres of that dream- 
land was sold by Johnson to Henrj^ Scramling 
during ti>e decade of 1760. The titles have always 
been known as the Johnson dreamland. 

Notable expeditions. — On October 28th, 1778, 
Colonel William Butler, with an army of 260 officers 
and men, started from Fort Defiance, Schoharie, and 
marched by the way of Middleburg and the Char- 
lotte to the ford above Colliersville, thence down 
the Susquehanna river, on its north side, along the 
old Indian trail, which passed through Oneonta vil- 




EX-CONGRESSMAN WILBER'S MONUMENT, 
lage near the present line of Main street. They 
crossed to the south side of the river near Ouleout 
creek; thence to Unadilla, destro)'ing the grist and 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL vSOUVEMR. 



saw mills, and most of the otlicr buildings in that 
early town. They continued their raid down to 
Oquaga, and a few miles below, and then returned 
home via Oleout, the west branch of the Delaware 
and the Schoharie creek. The expedition was for 
the purpose to destro}' the Tor}' and Indian prop- 




HARTFORD D. NELSON, EX-COUNTY JUDGE. 

erty in this village. The next important passage 
down the Susquehanna valley and river occurred in 
1779, under the command of Gen. Clinton. This 
party, on the night of August 10, encamped on the 
farm of Joachim Van Valkenburgh, nearly opposite 
the present depot. 

The Town of 
Oneonta. -About 
1608, the Iro- 
quois, or Five 
Nations, became 
its joint posses- 
sors. March 7th, 
17S8, a town cal- 
led Otsego was 
formed, of which 
Oneonta w as a 
part.^j, February 
i6th, 1791, Ot- 
sego county was 
form ed . The 
town of Unadilla 
waserected April 
10, 1792. Otego 
and S u ff r a g e 
were taken from 
Unadilla in 1796. 
In 1801 the name 
SufTr age was 
dropp e d , and 
Milford substi- 
tuted. In 1822 the town of Huntsville was formed, 
and one tier of lots south of the river was taken 
from Delaware county and a part of Otego. When 
that change was made, Kortright, and later Daven- 
port, extended down to the Huntsville line. In 1830. 
a new town of Otego was formed, and Huntsville 
discontinued, and the line of Milford extended west- 
ward to a line southwest of the Otego creek. The 
portion of Huntsville Iving south and east of that, 
and south of the Susquehanna river was added to 



Oneonta, and all west of Milford, as then made, was 
changed to. and still continues, to be Oneonta, 

Morris Brothers. — The wholesale grain, flour and 
feed house of Morris Brothers, probably the largest 
establishment in that line on the D. &: H. railroad 
between Albany and Binghamton, was established 
by George Reynolds and Albert Morris on Novem- 
ber 2, 1866. It was first opened as a retail feed store 
in a small frame building which stood on a plot of 
ground which now constitutes a part of Chestnut 
street extension, facing Main street. Mr. Reynolds 
died in June, iS6g, and was succeeded by Mr. Will- 
iam H. Morris, brother of Albert Morris, the two 
gentlemen who constitute the present firm, and who 
have since built up the large and extended business 
under the present firm name. In 1870 the business 
was removed to n two-story frame building, con- 
structed for that purpose on Chestnut street, the site 
on which now stands the handsome and commodious 
three story brick block adjoining the Windsor hotel, 
constructed in 1882, in the place of the original 
building destroyed bj' fire. The latter had the 
ground area of 56 x 26 feet. The growth of the busi- 
ness demanded more room and the new building 
was constructed with an area of box 30 feet. 

It was the policy of the firm to build wisely and 
well — and their Chestnut street block is one of the 
most substantial in town — an ornament to the street. 

The growth of the business of Morris Bros, was 
stead}' and in ten years following their removal to 
their new quarters, they had determined upon what 




G. E. MOORE'S DRUG STORE. 

has proven one of the most important departures in 
business enterprises that has marked the growth of 
the town. This was the erection of a four-story 
brick warehouse connected with a large store house 
and elevator facing Mechanic street near the head of 
Chestnut and overlooking the D. &: H. railroad yards 
in the rear. The building is 40 feet wide and iSo 
feet in depth. The elevator 40 feet square and 65 
feet high. The store has a floor space of 22,400 feet, 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL vSOUVENIR. 



exclusive of the elevator. One thousand seven hun- 
dred and twent3'-eight feet was sufficient in the be- 
ginning — thirty 3'ears ago. Four years afterwards it 
was increased to 3,368 feet and subsequently to 7,200 
feet. 

The warehouse capacity, which is used only for 
flour and feed in barrels, sacks and packages, is 50 
car loads. 

The elevator contains eighteen bins with the total 
capacit)'^ of 30,000 bushels or 1,800,000 pounds of 
o-rain. It is approached over a private side-track 
with room for eighteen cars. The weight of the 
grain and feed is obtained in car loads by means of 
a 60-ton BufTalo track scales, testing v.'ith the utmost 
accuracy to the maximum of 120,000 pounds. 



Crosby k Co. (both Minneapolis mills), and the 
" Bridal Veil," from the Niagara Falls Mills. 
The firm has representatives constantly on the 
road extending its trade through Otsego, Dela- 
ware, Schoharie, Broome, Chenango, Ulster and 
Greene counties. It also supplies dealers and farm- 
ers direct with salt, all kinds of grains, seeds and 
seed grain, having a large trade in timothy and clover 
seed, seed oats, corn and barle3\ Alsike clover is 
also largely handled by this firm, who deal largely in 
rich, full cream cheese. 

The Morris brothers are natives of the town 
of Milford. Otsego county, as was also their 
father, Richard B. Morris. Their mother was a 
Westcott, whose parents came from Connecticut. 
Both gentlemen are largely identified with the busi- 
ness and social interests of Oneonta and are foremost 
in projecting pulilic iinprovpment. 




PROFESSOR N. N. BULL, Father of Oneonta Public Schools. 



A portion of the building is divided into a suite of 
tastefully and conveniently fitted offices. The ma- 
chinery for driving the elevator is set up in the base- 
ment and driven by water motor. The site upon 
which the building stands was originallj' a marsh, 
and it is therefore an important improvemant in 
that part of the town. 

Morris Bros, are large dealers in flour. One of 
their leading brands is the celebrated winter wheat 
production known as " Windsor's Best," made at 
Dowagiac, Mich., the large portion or nearlj' the 
whole output of which has for eighteen years been 
taken by this firm. Thej- also handle the " Em- 
peror," and the " Crown Roller," the productions of 
of the Consolidated Milling Co.: the "Gold 
Medal," and the "Superlative" from Washburn, 



Their great grandfather. Charles Morris, came 
from England and served in the American army in 
the battles of the revolution. 

Albert Morris was born January 2, 1S40. His 
early years were occupied in getting an education by 
his own efforts, earning means to carry him through 
school by working on a farm. He attended a se- 
lect school at Oneonta when 18 years of age, after- 
wards attending the Hartwick academy, the school 
that was conducted in the old Cooper mansion at 
Cooperstown. and finally the Delaware literary insti- 
tute at Franklin, Delaware county. On November 
5, 1S68, he married Miss Mary Birdsall of Oneonta. 
He is the president of the local board of education, 
of the Oneonta club and the Glen wood cemetery 
association; also a director in the Wilber National 
bank. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



23 




hoto. bv Yo\in,£ 



A. L. KELLOCC, 



Mr. William H. Morris was born July 21, 1S41. 
He was educated in the Oneonta school and the Dela- 
ware iiterarj' institute. At 20 3'ears of aj;e he en- 
listed in the First Engineerinj^ Corps, mustered in 
at Cooperstown, and served three years and four 
months in the war. He came to Oneonta in the 
spring of 1865, and during 
the balance of the j'ear was 
engaged in the manufacture 
of cigars in the small frame 
building whicli still stands 
adjacenttothe First National 
Bank. For about a year he 
was a member of the tirm of 
Place iV Morris, proprietors 
of the Susquehanna House. 
He is president of the local 
Normal school board, of 
which he has been a mem- 
ber for nine )'ears, and is a 
director in the Oneonta 
Water Works Company, of 
which enterprise he was one 
of the projectors. He is a 
member of the Oneonta club. 
On Januar)' 23, 1S66. lie 
mairiid Ada. the daughter 
of George Angell, of Schuy- 
ler's Lake, Otsego county. 



From a small beginning in the nature of accommo- 
dation loans sprung the David Wilber bank, which 
was started at Milford about 1868, and which six 
years later gave place to the Wilber National bank 
at Oneonta. The Hon. David Wilber at the time of 
his death, April i, 1890, was a large property owner, 
a man who was widely known as having served in 
Congress from what was then the Otsego, Schoharie 
and Herkimer district, and a public spirited citizen 
who had done very much in advancing the interests 
of the town. He left two boys, George I. and the 
Hon. D. F. Wilber, now representative in Congress. 
The former, the subject of this sketch, attended 
school at Cooperstown and at Cazenovia Seminary, 
•Tnd was graduated from the latter institution in 1866. 
From 1867 to 1873 he was engaged largely in the hop 
business, with headquarters at Milford. Upon the 
removal of the bank to Oneonta in 1873 he was ap- 
pointed cashier, which position he held up to the 
time of the death of his father, when he succeeded 
the latter as president. Mr. Wilber has since man- 
aged the business and the large property interests, 
for which the foundation was laid by his father, and 
which have grown to considerable importance, 
by conservative methods and careful attention to 
details. His time is occupied with a large number 
ot outside matters in addition thereto, and withal, he 
is a busy man. He is a director in the Albany & 
Susquehanna railroad, a director of the Oneonta 
Union Agricultural Society, the president of the 
New York State Association of Union Agricultural 
Societies, of which he was one of the promoters, 
and a member of the local board of the Oneonta 
State Normal school. He has spent much of his 
personal time for the purpose of enhancing the wel- 
fare of the Union Agricultural Societies, and was 
active in the procurement of a law placing such so- 
cieties on the same basis as the county societies. 
He was the first to suggest a State normal school 




George I. Wilber, the 

president of the Wilber 
National Bank was born on Crumborn Mountain in 
the town of Milford, Otsego count)', September 30, 
1845. His father, the Hon. David Wilber, was a native 
of Duanesburgh, Schenectady county. He founded 
a business after moving to Otsego county which was 
one of the most important in this part of the state. 



THE ONEONTA CIA'B. DIKTZ AND REYNOI^DS STS. 



for Oneonta, making the proposition to the Hon. 
Frank Arnold, who was then member of assembly, 
and securing th.it loyalty on the part of the assem- 
blyman, which resulted in the passage of the bill. 
Before the mntter was discussed in the least, either 
bv word or mouth or in newspaper columns, Mr. 
Wilber had secureil the promise of the Hon. Frank 



24 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




C. F. SHELLAND. 



GEORGE BAIRD. 



Arnold to introduce such a bill and get it passed; 
and in spite of the opposition he encountered, much 
of which came from his own home, he kept his 
pledge and Oneonta was the beneficiary. Until 
this year Mr. Wilber was at the head of the One- 
onta street car line which was established bj' his 
father and brother. He is the president of the One- 
onta Water Works Company, of which he is one of 
the organizers; president of the Worcister Water 
Co., of Worcester, N. Y., and a trustee and the vice- 
president of the Glenwood Cemetery Association. 
He married Anna Diefendorf of Seward, Schoharie 
count)\ July 31, 1872. He is closel}- identifii-d with 
village affairs generally, and renders considerable 



assistance to worthy objects which appeal to private 
means for support. 

The Firm of L. H. and C. D. Townsend, successors 
to L. B. Lennon in the hardware business, located 
in Oneonta, at the place they now occupy, January 
14, 1896. The store is 120 feet deep by 24 feet wide, 
with a cellar comprising the same amount of space 
and with go feet on the second floor and 60 on the 
third. It was found necessary to enlarge the store 
by adding 30 feet after this firm took possession, 
such was the increase of stock over that catried b}' 
its predecessor. Its trade in stoves, ranges and 
heaters started in the first year with flattering pros- 
pects. The firm also engages considerably in cop- 
per and tin work, and carries a full line of hardware, 
including paints, oils, glass, etc. It does all kinds 
of plumbing after approved methods deemed neces- 
sary to insure perfect sanitary conditions. A lead- 
ing range is the Sterling, for which this firm has the 
exclusive agency in Oneonta and vicinity. The 
Townsend brothers are from Greene county. Both 
were born in Greenville: Lucius H., March 21, 1S60. 
and Charles D., June 24, 1865. The former, after 
teaching for six years, went into the hardware busi- 
ness with S. H. Atwater, at Windham, lie traveled 
a year and a half for Sahler, Reynolds iS: Webster, 
wholesalers of Kingston, and was bookkeeper for 
Henry E. Wieber of that city. He married Ella 
Graham of Windham, March 26, 1886. His brother 
was engiged in the produce and general store busi- 
ness in Greene count)' for five years before coming 
to Oneonta. He married Lucia M. Osborne of 
Windham, February 26, 1S96. Both arc members of 
the masonic order. 

The Methodist Episcopal Society, of Oneonta, was 
organized by the formation of the first class in 1830 
by the Rev. George Harmon. It consisted of fifteen 
members, with D. F. Clark as leader, and was for 




THE McCAMMON PIANO GO'S WORKS. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



25 



many j'ears a part of the old Otsego circuit. The 
first house of worship was built in 1844. .At that 
time the Rev. George Elliot was the preacher in 
charge and Rev. Lyman Sperry, presiding elder. 
The building cost $1,500. The first stationed 
preacher at Oneonta was the Rev. W.C. McDonald. 

A new church building was erected during the 
pastorate of Rev. R. W. Peebles. It was dedicated 
June 3d, i86g. It cost f 8,000. This building was 
enlarged during the pastorate of Rev. A. B. Richard- 
son at a cost of $13,000. In iS()5 Mrs. David Wilber 
presented the church with a handsome pipe organ 
built by Hook & Hastings, of Boston, costing $3,500. 
To provide a place for the magnificent organ, and to 
afford added seating capacity, the church was again 
enlarged. The present membership of the church is 
783. The church property, which includes church, 
pastors home and district parsonage (the latter a 
gift from George I. Wilber), is valued at $45,000. 
The officiary of the church at the present time is 
composed of Rev. A. 
J. Van Cleft, presiding 
elder; Rev. J. Elliot 
Bone, pastor. 

Board of Trusetes: 
George I. Wilber, 
George Reynolds, 
James Roberts, J. O. 
Rowe. 

Board of Stewards: 
J. O. Rowe, P. R. 
Young, William Ed- 
munds, Charles Au- 
sicker, L. B. Lennon, 
T. K, Mosher, S. C 
Niles, Harry W. Lee, 

A. D. Rowe, M, H. 
Bissell, I. S. Dauley, 
E. T. Uan Buren, O. 

B. Rowe. 
The pastors w h o 

have served the 
church since its organ- 
ization, and in the 
order given, are: C. Robinson, W. G 
Horde, D. L. Pendell, G. Parsons, P. T. 




The Junior League of the M. E. church was or- 
ganized July 2C, 1891, with a membership of forty- 
seven, and with Miss Elvira Chandler for superin- 
tendent. The membership now numbers eighty. 
The league has been divided into three classes, pri- 
mary, intermediate and graduating class. The last 
class is being prepareti for entrance into the Senior 
League. Each department has a leader, Mrs. A. W. 
Abrams having charge of the primary class, Mrs. A. 
E. Merritt the intermediate, and Mrs. H. T. Conk- 
ling the graduating class. At the last election the 
following officers were elected: President, Otis 
Eaton; first vice-president, Sarah Marsh; second vice- 
president. Laura Disbrow; third vice-president, 
Cora Eaton; fourth vice-president, Stanley Young; 
secretary, Edwina Franklin; treasurer, Arthur Hurl- 
butt; organist, Nellie Hague. 

The Railroad Business at this station is the largest 
of any on the Susquehanna division of the D. & H. 
railroad. During the past fifteen years there has 
been a marked increase in local freight. Upwards 
of one-hundred million pounds of freight, exclusive 
of coal, is received annually for local delivery, con- 

sisting chiefly of 

I grain, flour, feed and 
I lumber. The cash re- 
ceipts for freight char- 
ges are more than one 
hundred thousand dol- 
lars annually. The 
passenger business is 
proportionately large. 
Passengers from East 
and West trains bound 
for several small but 
flourishing, towns 
which are connected 
with Oneonta by stage 
lines, get off at this 
station, as Oneonta is 
considerable of a dis- 
tributing point. The 
cash receipts for the 
sale of tickets amount 
to $50,000 annually. 
Up to about five years 
ago the ticket busi- 
At that time 



Hugh- 
ston, H. N. Van Deusen, R. W. Peebles, A. Griflin, 
I. N. Pardee, W. B. Westlake, Y. C. Smith, A. B. 
Richardson, D. C. Olmstead, O. H. McAnulty, J. 
Elliot Bone. 

The Oneonta chapter of the Lpworth League of 
the Methodist Episcopal church was organized No- 
vember 23d, i88g, with twenty-seven charter mem- 
bers. Mr. Harry W. Lee was the first president. 
The devotional meetings are held Sunday evening 
one hour before the preaching service, and are large- 
ly attended. Business meetings are held once a 
month. Each department of the league is doing 
good work, and no auxiliary of the church is making 
itself felt more than the Epworth Le.igue. Its pres- 
ent membership is iSo. and its officers are: President, 
Henry T. Conkling; first vice-president, Edgar T. 
Van Buren; second vice-president, Mrs. A. P. Dis- 
brow; third vice-president, Silas I. Wright; fourth 
vice-president, Mrs. Maria Van Cleft; secretary, 
Charles J. Beams; treasurer, Herbert W. Scott; or- 
ganist, Mrs. Zilpha Church; chorister, John B. Van 
Dusen. 



GEORGE I. WILBER. 
Oueal, S. M. ness was in charge of the freight agent 

the present ticket agent, Mr. Thomas H. White was 
appointed and he has proven to be the right man, being 
courteousto all and consequently popular. Mr. Henry 
T. Conklin is the freight agent. He is an active, 
conscientious business man and has given the best 
of satisfaction. He was appointed August i, 1895. 
Paul Wadsworth is the general freight agent with 
headquarters in Albany, and Charles Wadsworth, 
his brother, is the freight agent at Binghamton. The 
Oneonta freight office was opened for business Au- 
gust 2S, 1865. The freight office has been burned 
twice. Peter M. Banta was the first agent. Follow- 
ing came A. L. Sabin, Jeffers Emmons, Paul Wads- 
worth and Charles Wadsworth. each serving from one 
to three yeais. In the fall of 1875, Mr. B. H. Loring 
was appointed to that position and he served until he 
was succeeded bj' Mr. Conklin. 

Fifty Thousand Dollars a month. Th.it is he 
approximate amount of money which is paid out by 
the D. & H. railroad company in wages to men who 
live in Oneonta. The principal car and locomotive 
repairing and building shops are located at this place. 



26 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




ALBERT MORRIS. 



WILLIAM MORRIS. 



They were built in the spring of 1872, occupying a 
central position relative to the 3'ards, with excellent 
drainage and a large tract of surrounding country 
upon which pretty residences have since been erected. 
Here are the headquarters for engine dispatching and 
also where most of the rolling stock for the Susque- 
hanna division is kept in order. Oneonta is a divi- 
sion terminus for all engineers and firemen and all 
freight crews. There are reporting at this point 
about 500 railroad men, besides there being employed 
in the shops about 450 men. The shops built of iron 
and brick include six large buildings aggregating 
about 2,000 lineal feet in extent. This does not in- 
clude two round-houses with the capacity of accom- 
modating 35 engines. There are in service on this 
road, between Albany and Binghamton, 
130 engines and from goto 95 are put 
through the shops every year. The re- 
building of locomotives constitutes a 
considerable part of the work in the 
Oneonta shops. In not a few instances, 
entirely new locomotives are con- 
structedihere, the shops being fitted 
with all the modern improvements for 
lifting by hydraulic power and moving 
heavy work. Since 1S89 the following 
locomotives have been built here : 
Nos. 182, 183 and 205, large passenger 
engines. Nos. 264, 226, 227, 150. 228, 
24S, 147, 270, 259, 258, 268, 257, 260, 
254, 255, 271, 274. Mr. R. C. Blackall 
is the superintendent of locomotives 
and rolling stock with headquarters in 
Albany. Mr. C. O. Beach is the des- 
patcher of engines between Oneonta 
and Binghamton. His office is in the 
Oneonta shops. Mr. H. C. Smith is 
the master mechanic in charge of the 
work at this place and Mr. J. R. 
Skinner is the master car builder. 
The master mechanics office, together 
with the engine despatcher's and Store 



keeper's department, occupies a building 80x40 
feet. The clerks in the master mechanic's office are : 
C. J. Norton, chief clerk ; James Richmond, assist- 
ant, J. C. Ritter and Earll Hall: storekeeper, F. I. 
Helm ; J. Norton and Stanlej' Barber, clerks. The 
boiler shop, in charge of Floyd Harris, is 75 x 75; 
the blacksmith shop, George Powell, foreman, 150 x 
40. Horace Card is general foreman of the machine 
and locomotive lepair shops ; E. R. Norton is clerk. 
This building is 350 x 80. The car shop, main 
building, is 250 x 80; there are two other buildings 
for this work. R. Downes is foreman in the paint 
shop. There is coal storage for 300 tons, for the use 
of ilie engines, with pocket capacity for loading six 
or eisht tons in a tank in one or two minutes. 

The Mutual Benefit association of the emploj^es 
of the railroad shops was organized in June, 1879. 
This provides for^ every member in good standing 
while sick five dollars a week, the payments limited 
to thirieeen consecutive weeks.^j The assessment on 
the death of a member is $r per capita , on the death 
of a member's wife, 50 cents per capita.-^^The num- 
ber of members June, 1896, was 189. The benefits 
paid in seventeen \'ears, amount to $16,366.80. The 
officers : President, E. A. Matteson ; Secretary, F. 
Avery; Treasurer, J. S. Massett. 

The McCammon Piano Company was organized 
under the laws of the State of New York, September 
I, 1891. It was practically the reorganization and 
removal from Albany to this city of an old and well 
established piano manufacturing company, which 
was founded in 1832, and which had acquired a well 
deserved reputation throughout this country. Pass- 
ing into the hands of Oneonta parties as it did at 
that time with an infusion of fresh capital and busi- 
ness energy, the plant was placed on an entirely 
new fooling, where it has since grown and developed 
into what is at present an institution second to 
none in this State. With all the modern facilities, 
in quarters furnishing an abundance of room, with 
the employment of expert help and having the ad- 




MORRIS BRO'S STORE AND ELEVATOR. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



vantages of modern machinery and the utilization of 
the very best conveniences, the Company is manu- 
facturing instruments that are unrivaled in me- 
chanical construction, unsurpassed in elegance of de- 
•sign and unexcelled in tone. 

The works are equipped with the latest and most 
.approved facilities and the construction of the instru- 
ments comprise the best and most delicate inventions 
calculated to produce those superior qualities that 
have placed the McCammon piano in the lead. The 
tone of this instrument, adjusted by patent scales, 
used exclusively by this company, which guarantees 
additional merits not found in an)' other make, is at 
-once striking and pleasing, combining great volume 
and richness with sympathetic timbre throughout. 
A deep, resonant bass, round brilliant treble, great 



works. All kinds of wood are used, such as light 
and dark mahogany, circassion, French, Japanese 
and Italian walnut, quartered oak, rosewood and 
ebony. Three styles of instruments are manu- 
factured : Style 7 (upright) ; height, 4 feet 6 inches ; 
width, 5 feet ; seven and one-third octaves ; over- 
strung scale : three strings throughout ; patent 
action ; new sliding desk ; engraved and carved 
panels ; three pedals ; full iron plate ; continuous 
hinges ; ivory keys. Style 14 (upright) : height 4 
feet 8 inches ; width, 5 feet 2 inches : seven and one- 
third octaves ; three strings throughout ; grand roll- 
ing back-board, etc. Style 21 (upright) is partic- 
ularly designed to fill the place of a large parlor grand 
without requiring as much space. It has all the vol- 
ume and tonal attributes of the best grand. Height, 
4 feet 10 inches ; width, 5 feet 6 inches. All pianos 




Photo, by Smith. MAIN STREET LOOKING 

singing quality and evenness of scale, have made it 
justly popular with pianists and vocalists. This 
company uses a patent upright piano action which 
enables it to produce a remarkable touch, light, re- 
sponsive and elastic, the performer being enabled 
without apparent eflTort to produce the most difficult 
pianissimo or fortissimo effects by the touch alone. 
Nothing but the best material enters into the con- 
struction of these piarios and none but the most 
skilled artisans are employed. Each department 
is under the supervision of an expert foreman. A 
■complete record is kept of each and every man's 
•work for each day in the year, his position depend- 
ing upon the quality of his work. All material is 
carefully tested, and every detail of the slightest 
nature is looked after. The dry kilns having ac- 
commodations sufficient for seasoning a half million 
feet of lumber, are important adjuncts to these large 



EAST FROM CHESTNUT. 

are constructed with the McCammon patented separ- 
able cases, their improved rolling fall board, their 
pin block, constructed of veneers of maple to prevent 
splitting or warping, their patent music desk to be 
drawn out for use and their improved key and 
action buttons to insure lineage of ke3-s and free 
action. 

The works are located at the foot of Rose avenue, 
near the street railway, and alongside of the D. & H. 
railroad from which they are entered by a branch 
track. They comprise eight buildings with facilities 
for turning out fifty high grade pianos a week. The 
grounds comprise five acres affording ample room for 
enlargement. The buildings are connected with an 
internal railroad, communirating with various de- 
partments, and are filled with electric bells and 
speaking tubes which connect the office with every 
department. There is here in use the Bundy time 
recorder. The board of directors are : George B. 
Baird, President ; R. B. Baird, vice-president ; C. 
F. Shelland, secretary and treasurer ; Hon. D. F. 
Wilber and S. M. Baird. 



28 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




R. W. MILLER. 



N. H. BRIGGS. 



OINEOINTA. 



[Contributed.] 

Professor Brander Matthews, in an article entitled 
" On the Poetry of Place Names." quotes Robert 
Louis Stevenson as follows : " When I heard that 
the stream over which we passed was called the 
Susquehanna, the beauty of the name seemed part 
and parcel of the beauty of the land. As when 
Adam with divine fitness named the creatures, so 
this word Susquehanna 
was at once accepted by 
the fancy. That was the 
name, as no other could 
be, for that shining river 
and desirable valley."' 

It is eminent!)' appro- 
priate that the fair city 
which sits by the "shin- 
ing river," and is the 
pride of the " desirable 
valley," of the Susque- 
hanna should also have 
a distinctive American 
name. Other towns may 
boast the distinguished 
name of some worthy 
progenitor and flaunt the 
proud title of "Higgins- 
ville" or "Piatt's Cor- 
ner"or "Griggstown" in 



The sun looks down upon no town more active, 
energetic and enterprising. Who has not heard of 
the name and fame of the " Oneonta Normal 
School." the finest in the United States, so it is 
uinked by competent judges. If you examine the 
magnificent locomotive which carries your flying 
I rain over the " Delaware and Hudson " system you 
will very likely find that it was built at the " Oneonta 
shops." Upon pianos, bicycles, woolen goods and 
other manufactured articles the "Oneonta" stamp 
is the sufficient guarantee of excellence. 

Taking Oneonta as a center and drawing a circle, 
you must make the radius near!)' sixt)' miles before 
the wide sweep of the circumference will touch a city 
of equal size and importance. This broad extent of 
territorj' is a rich agricultural and dairy district. 
Twenty-two smaller, tributary towns make Oneonta 
the objective point of business, and find here their 
railroad, shipping and billing point. This fact ac- 
counts for the important wholesale trade in grocer- 
ies, flour, feed and hops which is managed so suc- 
cessfully by our large business houses. It is a factor 
also in the active retail trade, which contributes sO' 
much to the prosperit}' of the town. 

With its fine water supply, its complete sanitary 
system, electric lights and electric road, soon to be, 
Oneonta is a most delightful place of residence. It 
is emphatically a city of homes. Few communities 
can boast a larger proportion of people who live in 
comfortable, homes of their own making. This is the 
reason, perhaps, why societ)' is so homogeneous and 
hospitable so gracious and unassuming. The peo- 
ple are not wholly devoted to business pursuits; 
while they labor with great energy to develop their 
commercial resources, they are not unmindful of the 
higher interests of life. The public schools have a 
wide reputation for careful and thorough instruction. 
The churches are, without exception, well attended 
and well supported, while various societies and clubs 
minister to social and literary tastes. 




Photo, bv Smith. 



BURR MATTICE'S RESIDENCE, MAIN STREET. 



the face of an envious world, but when I climb our 
surrounding hills and look across, through autumn 
haze, or the clear air of spring, to the opposite 
mountain wall, I am glad that the city which nestles 
below me has a name which rhymes with the flow of 
brooks and the rustle of the wind among the leaves. 
But if anj' misguided individual, who sees our 
poetic name in atlas or railwaj' guide, fancies that 
we are a Rip Van Winkle community of day 
dreamers he is much mistaken. 



It maybe said, with truth, by one who is disposed 
to be critical, that we have few public buildings, nnd 
are deficient in those institutions which are so im- 
portant to the public life of a cit}'. It must be 
rememoered, however, that Oneonta is young, that 
its growth from a country village to a town of import- 
ance has been a matter of a few yeais. With inci eas- 
ing size wealth and opportunity will come; no 
doubt a l.irger civic consciousness, a more generous 
provision for the enjoyment of our common muni- 
cipal life. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



29 



Dr. George F. Entler, widel)- known as a succes- 
ful surgeon, was born in Windsor, Berkshire 
County, Mass., February 4, 1850. His father, 
George R. Entler, was a congregational clergyman, 




Photo, bv Smith. 



HENRY SAUNDER'S BOOK STORE 



a Virginian bj' birth, of German descent. jBotli 
parents are buried at Pittsfield, Mass., where Her- 
bert L., one of their two children, is living. Dr. 
Entler attended school at Riverhead, L. I., and at 
Meredith and Franklin, Delaware County, graduat- 
ing from the Delaware Literar}' Institute at the latter 
place in 1867. Having inclinations for the drug 
business, he found emploj^ment as clerk with Dr. 
Calhoun, in Delhi. In 1871-2 he was in a drug 
store at Oil Cit3\ Pa., and in 1873-4 was with Wil- 
liam Dickerman on South Pearl Street, Albany. In 
that city he took two terms in surgery. Then he 
obtained employment with Thomas H. Rockwell, 
Oneonta, and subsequently with C. C. Jadwin, at 
Honesdale, Pa. In the spring of 1877 he entered 
the lefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, pro- 
vided with means from what he had saved up to that 
time. He took three courses in surger)' lectures, 
replenishing his funds from his earnings as a drug 
clerk, and on March 12, 1879, he was graduated with 
honors from that institution. He then came to One- 
onta and began the practice which he has since con- 
tinued with remarkable success. The doctor has 
performed many difficult operations, which have 
given him a deserved reputation. Being an author- 
ized surgeon for the D. & H., the number of acci- 
dent cases among railroad employees which have 
come into his hands is probably much larger than 
falls to the lot of the ordinary surgeon. He is a 
member of the State Association of Railwaj- Sur- 
geons and the Otsego County iNfedical Society. In 
1876 he married Mary C. Peck, of Delhi, and she 
died a 3-ear afterwards. On June 3, 1879, he mar- 
ried Nellie E., the daughter of Charles VV. Lewis, 
of Oneonta. 

Rev. J. Elliot Bone, pastor M. E. church, was 
born in England June 25th, 1856. He was educated 
at Honesdale Academy. Wyoming Seminary, Central 
Pennsylvania College and Drew Theological Semi- 
nary. He united with the Wj-oming Conference in 



April, 1S86, was appointed to tiic Yaiesvilie charge, 
remaining there two years. In the spring of 1888 he 
was sent to VVilkesbarre, Pa., where he remained 
five years. In 1893 he was stationed at Oneonta, 
where he is serving his fourth year. 

W. W. Darbee, who owns 
one of the largest stores in 
town, doing a leading busi- 
ness in books, periodicals, 
wall paper, and in fine print- 
ing and engraving, was born 
at Libert)', Sullivan Count)', 
September 15, 1850. He was 
educated in the Liberty Nor- 
mal Institute, from which he 
was graduated. He started 
in business in Oneonta, Sep- 
tember 15, 1874, in the Cohn 
Block. From there he re- 
moved to the Fritz Block, cor- 
ner of Main and Chestnut 
streets, where he was burned 
out on the morning of March 
22, 1888. A week after the 
fire he rented space in Stevens 
&: Hill's store, then on Chest- 
nut street, where he conduc- 
ted a small news and sta- 
tionery business. During 
that year the Reynolds Block was built, and in 
March. 1889, he moved into it. Early in January, 
1893, he moved into the corner store, now oc- 
cupied by Reynolds & Son, and in March, 1896, 
he located in his present handsome and con- 
venient quarters, the Ford & Ford Block, No. 
141 Main street. His business has largely in. 
creased since then, and as he always carries the best 
in his line, his patrons are among the best in the 
town. On April i, 1894 he added a department of 
job printing for supplying the demand for small sta- 
tionery, including cards, letter and bill lieads, wed- 
ding cards and invitations, and everything that is 
called for in that line. He makes a feature of fine 



■■"9^ 




H. N. SMITH, 
(The View Photographer for thi.s Souvenir.) 

engraved work. His stock includes all the popular 
works, stationery, law blanks, newspapers, periodi- 
cals, and all grades of wall paper. He is a member 



30 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



of the Order of United Workingmen. in which he 
holds the office of financier. He married Jennie L. 
Palmer, of Oneonia, October i6, 18S2, and Mrs. 
Darbee has assisted in the store ever since that time. 




P. R. YOUXO. 

Mail Routes and Roads.— Oneonta's first mail 
route was established in 1817. On May gth James 
McDonald was appointed its first postmaster, and 
the office was kept for nearly a dozen years in 
his tavern, the building now standintj on the 
northwest corner of Main and River streets. The 
route was up River street from Unadilla, thence 
up the river road to Cooperstown. Oneonta 
was first called McDonald's Bridge, then Mc- 
Donald's Mills, and when a post-office 
was established it was named Milford- 
ville. That name continued until 
1832, when it was at the general United 
States post-office changed to Oneonta. 
The first sawmill was erected east of 
Main street, just northeast of the old 
McDonald house. The first wool- 
carding works was erected just below 
the sawmill a couple of years later. 
The first successful grist-mill was 
built about 1812, on the same site, 
and the same mill, only enlarged, still 
stands. In 1S30 a law was passed 
ordering a survey of the Susquehanna 
river from "Otsego Lake to Tioga 
Point, or Chemung river, to ascertain 
the feasibility of slackwater navigation 
between those points." April 22, 1831, 
a charter was granted for the Oneonta 
and Franklin Turnpike Companj'. A 
part of the line, with one toll-gate, is still owned and 
managed by its successors. April 26, 1832, a charter 
was granted for a railroad from Cooperstown to 
Colliersville. At the same date a charter was 
granted for the Otsego and Schoharie railroad. 
April 25, 1832. a charter was granted for the Utica 
and Susquehanna railroad. These three charters 
were intended to connect Utica, Oneonta, Coopers- 
town, Colliers and Schoharie by railroad. May 18, 
1836, a railroad charter was granted from Cherry 
Valley by the way of the Susquehanna to intersect 
the Erie. At this early day Collier and Good)'ear, 



of Milford, and Dietz Angel and others, of Oneonta^ 
were the moving spirits in these earl}' turnpike and 
railroad enterprises. Angel was the moving spirit 
in pushing through in 1835 the construction of the 
turnpike line through Oneonta by the way of Gil- 
bertsville and Otsdawa and the Charlotte to Cats- 
kill. In November, 1845, a railroad meeting was 
held at Van Tuyl's tavern in Richmondville, Scho- 
harie county. Jared Good3'ear, of Colliersville, and 
Harvej' Baker of Oneonta, attended the meeting and 
were efficient with others in arranging for putting the 
proposed railroad in progress. It was to extend 
from Schenectady to Binghamton. At that meeting 
Harvej' Baker of Oneonta, and Demosthenes Law)'er, 
of Cobleskill, were chosen secretaries. The meeting 
was large and enthusiastic The crowd was ably 
addressed b)' Jedediah Miller and General Lawyer of 
Lawyersville, and Lawj-er Smith and others, of 
Cobleskill, were able and efficient. It was arranged 
that application should be made at the approaching 
legislature for a charter, and the necessary action was- 
taken. Aid for such an enterprise had been prom- 
ised from Boston, and a committee was appointed to 
meet and confer with them. Harvey Maker was- 
elected one of such committee. The necessary no- 
tices were published, and at the openting of the legis- 
lature Colonel VV. W. Snow was sent to Albany to- 
attend to ihe passage of the bill. On the 4th day of 
May, 1S46, a charter was granted " For the Schenec- 
tady and Susquehanna Railroad to the Erie at Bing- 
hamton." Among the directors named in the charter 
in this vicinity were Seth Chase and Leonard Car\l 




P. R. YOUNG'S RESIDENCE, WEST STREET. 

of Worcester, Jared Goodyear of Milford, Eliakim, 
R. Ford of Oneonta,. and George H. Noble of Una- 
dilla. The Schenectady people failed to give satis- 
factory interest to the project, and a survey was made 
from Quaker Street through the Bosakill and Nor- 
manskTll creeks to Albany. The first meeting was 
held at the hotel of John M. Watkins in Oneonta, 
Harvey Baker sending the invitations. On April 2, 
1865 the organization of the Albany and Susquehanna 
Railroad was perfected, 325 stockholders subscribing 
for 1,441 shares. The road was opened to Oneonta 
August 24th, 1865, and the event was celebrated on 
the 29th. In February, 1870, the road was leased to ' 
the D. & H. C. Co. for ninety-nine years. 

[Harvey Baker. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



Edward D. Lewis, the Jeweler at Main and Broad 
streets, was for fourteen years with C. E. Ford, whom 
he succeeded. On April ist, 1897. this business will 
have been conducted in the same place for twent)'- 
four years. Mr. Ford succeeded P. C. Burton on 
April I, 1S73. The latter had been in the business 




C. F. BAYLIS. 

for si.\ty years. So it may be said that it is the oldest 
in town, with the remarkable record of nearly a cen- 
tury duration. The stock carried by this house is 
equal in size, in variety of goods and in all that is 
new and stylish, to that of many large retail stores in 
considerably larger towns, comprising the best pro- 
ductions of leading manufacturers, and including an 
especially fine line of silverware. It is probably the 
largest between Albany and Binghamton. Mr. Lewis 
is a practical jeweler and is experienced in the 
repairing and regulating of time pieces. That de- 
partment is an important part of his business. Being 
the official watch inspector for the D. & H. Railway 
Com[any, at Oueonta, to whom the engineers and 
conductors are required to go for the certificate 
showing their watches to be reliable and accurate, he 
exercises supervision over several hundred time- 
pieces. Mr. Lewis was born in Cooperstown, Oct. 
24th, 1854. In 1876 he entered the employ of 
Thomas [ohnson, at Elmira, and three years later 
came to Oneonta, where he married Mary E. Pardee 
in 1S88. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and 
the Oneonta club. 

The First Baptist Church. — The oldest record of 
the church bears date of April 6, 1833, and consists 
of the minutes of a meeting of a few brethren and 
sisters at the residence of Hiram McCall, on Maple 
street, at which it was voted to call a meeting for the 
organization of a Baptist church in Oneonta. Later, 
an organization was effected. James Slade and 
David Yager were chosen deacons and Ira Babcock 
clerk. The following eighteen names were enrolled 
as members : James Slade, Jacob Yager, Henry L. 
Miller, Polly Yager, Emily Yager, Phoebe Babcock, 
David Yager, Peter Yager, Nathaniel Edmonds, 
Samantha Yager, Catherine Miller, Maria Miller, 
John S. Yager, Solomon Yager, Ira Babcock, Sally 
Yager, Catherine Miller, Catherine Yager. At the 
close of the minutes, Sylvanus Smith, acting clerk, 
subsequently licensed to preach, records the follow- 
ing prayer: " Oh, that Heaven would smile on this 
little vine, which we humbly hope and believe Hehas 



planted in this place. For the sake of the Redeemer,, 
who stands praying the Father to bring the ransomed 
sinners home." April 24, 1833, a council, consist- 
ing of delegates from Milford, Huntsville, or Otego. 
as now called. East Meredith, Franklin and Lau- 
rens, met in the Presbyterian church, and the church 
was regularly organized. For a few months services 
were held once in four weeks in the Presbyterian 
church. Elder Sweet acting as supply. During the 
summer of 1833 Rev. D. B. Crane, of West Mere- 
dith, became the first pastor, and preached for two 
years in the old red school house which stood near 
the corner of Main and Broad streets. April 13, 
1834, the land on which the church now stands was 
purchased from Roderick Emonsand William Angel, 
for the sum of $150. This included the lot facing 
Main street, now occupied by the Rockwell block, 
which was sold when the church was rebuilt in 
18S3-4. March 23. 1834, Kliakim R. Ford was re- 
ceived into membership, one who from that time 
until his death, July 23, 1S73, a period of 40 years, was 
trul}' a " pillar of the church." One of Oneonta's 
most prominent and successful business men, 
ever taking an active interest in everything pertain- 
ing to the good of the town, he carried his business 
into his religion, and his religion into his business. 
Of him it may truthfully be said that he was " dili- 
gent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the 
Lord." It might not be inappropriate to state, at 
this point, also that his family has always been dur- 
ing the past, and is at present, one of the most 
prominent, active and faithful ever connected with 
the church. Among others mentioned who served 
the church faithfully and well during its early history 
were James Slade, Potter C. Burton, Deacon Josiah 
Farmer and Nathaniel Edmonds. In 1S35 the first 
church edifice was erected. The building stood 
upon the site not far distant from that now occupied 
b}' the parsonr.ge and faced the main street. The 




H. F. VAN WOERT. 

structure erected in 1835 still stands and is that 
portion now occupied by the church parlors and 
upon which is the belfry. The church building was 
repaired in 1867-68 under the direction of Rev. A. 
Reynolds, at a cost of nearly $3,000, and was finally, 
during the oastorate of E. D. Clough, entirely rebuilt. 



32 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



and greatl)'' enlarged to accommodate the increased 
membership. This was during the years of 1883 and 
1884, and was done at the expense of nearly $7,000. 
Early in 1836, according to the records bearing that 
date, " James Slade, David Yager and Silvanus 
Smith were appointed to hire a man to preach for 
us,'' Rev. D. B. Crane, the first pastor, having re- 
signed. The record continues, " Elder John Smith 
came and preached for us the Sabbath or two follow- 
ing, and we, the chosen brethren, agree to hire him; 
also agree to find him a suitable house to live in, 
furnish him with firewood, and give him $200 per 
year." The pastorate of Elder Smith was the most 
remarkable, at least for its length, in the history of 
the church, lasting, from December, 1835, to March. 
1848, over twelve years, and after an absence of ten 
years he was recalled and again served the church 
from February 13, 1858, until March 11, 1S65, nine- 



mentioned. He was followed by the Rev. A. 
Reynolds, still living and still greatly beloved by 
this church. He ^entered upon his work June 11, 
1865, serving the church as one of its most enthu- 
siastic and successful pastors for over five years, or 
September 25, 1870. During the second year of 
this pastorate the church enjoyed a second memo- 
rable revival, sixtv-five uniting with the church in 
one 3-ear. It was also during the pastorate of Rev. 
Reynolds that the church underwent extensive re- 
pairs and renovating. For a year after the resigna- 
tion of this pastor the pulpit was filled by temporary 
supplies. Rev. G. R. Burnside next became pastor, 
beginning his services November i, 1871, and con- 
tinuing until April 12. 1874. The following Sunday 
Rev. H. Brotherton began his labors with the church 
and remained six years until 1880. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. P. D. R(jot. who served three years, 




Photo, hv Smith. 



WALNUT STKKKT, LOOKINC, K.^ST. 



teen years and five months in all. In June, 1848, 
Rev. Homer Clark became pastor and served some- 
thing less than a year, closing his pastorate in 
March, 1849. In August of the same year Rev. A. 
B. Earle, who has since become the widely known 
and eminentl}' successful evangelist, entered upon 
the pastorate, and with great ability served in this 
capacity for four years, or until March 27, 1853. 
Durinif the first year of his work in the church, an 
extensive revival took place and fifty-one united 
with the church. From March, 1853, until January, 
1S54, thi; church was again without a pastor. Janu- 
ary 7, 1854, Rev. Erastus Westcott was chosen to 
this office, and faithfully served the church until 
July 12, 1S57. From July, 1S57, until Februarj', 
1858. Rev. C. M. Pattengil served as regular supply. 
On February 13, 1S58, Rev. John Smith entered 
upon his second pastorate, which has already been 



until 1S83. In 1883 the church entered upon its 
most successful decade. For a few years following 
the church received most substantial additions from 
neighboring towns, especiallj' Morris and Milford. 
During these j'ears the church had been thoroughly 
organized, the finances had been placed on a sub- 
stantial basis and the membership increased from 
197 to over 500. In 1883 Rev. E. D. Ciough became 
the pastor of the church and served for three years, 
until 1S86. During this pastorate the present church 
edifice was built and the membership increased 121, 
or from 197 to 318. In 1886 Rev. A. B. Coats began 
a most brilliant and successful pastorate of over 
four years, during which the parsonage was built 
and the membership increased by 122, or from 318 to 
440. May I, 1891. Rev. C. C. Pierce began his work 
with the church. During his pastorate 149 were 
added to the church. 87 bv baptism. The greatest 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



33 



number of additions by baptism during anj' one 
year of the church is 71. On April 19, 1896, Rev. 
C. C. Pierce tendered his resignation, which was 
accepted, and on July 12, 1896, the churcli extended 




M. CUKXKV. 

a call to the Rev. E. J. Farley, who accepted and 
began his labors September i, 1896, since which 
time the church has been crowded to its utmost 
capacity at every service. During the sixty-three 
years of its history the church has contributed to all 
benevolences something over $8,000, of which 
$4,200 has been contributed duiing the past thirteen 
years. Tlie church is in a very prosperous condi- 
tion at the present time, and will soon need a larger 
house of worship. 

The Home Mission Society of the 
First Baptist Church was organized in 
the church parlors October i, 1892. 
Mrs. P. Holmes was appointed chair- 
man of the meeting and Mrs. C. C. 
Pierce secretary. The following officers 
were elected : Miss Carrie Andrews, 
president ; Mrs. C. C. Pierce, vice- 
president ; Mrs. P. Holmes, secretary ; 
Mrs. E. E. Beals, treasurer. On ac- 
count of other duties. Miss Andrews 
resigned and Mrs. Beals was elected 
president. 

The object of the society is to culti- 
vate a missionary spirit in the church 
and aid the National Woman's Baptist 
Home Mission Society in its work of 
Christianizing the dark homes of our 
country. The society also helps the 
poor of the church and congregation, 
clothes destitute children to enable 
them to attend Sunday school, raises 
money to help carry on missionary 
work in the cities and support women missionaries 
in the west and south. 

Mrs. C. C. Pierce organized the society, and was 
one of its most earnest workers while Mr Pierce 
was pastor of the church. Mrs. D. R. Kenyon is 
president at the present tihie. 



Rev. E. J. Farley, pastor of the First Baptist 
church, situated on (irove street, is a native of 
Washington county, this State. There he was born 
and lived, toiling on the farm and teaching school 
till 1879, when he entered Colgate Universit}'' to se- 
cure an education as a preparation for the ministry. 
Nine years of study and he graduated in June 1885 
from the Hamilton Theological Seminary. In the 
meantime he has preached continuously four and 
one-half 3ears in connection with his college and 
seminary course, supplying for six months the Bap- 
tist church of liion and Mohawk in this State, act- 
ing as pastor for two years of the East Green Baptist 
church in ('henango count)', N. Y., and later taking 
charge of the South New Berlin Baptist church in 
the Unadilla valley. At this place he received 
papers of ordination to the Uospel ministry. Sep- 
tember 16, 1885. In the spring of "86 he was called 
to the pastorate of the Stillwater Baptist church, 
Stillwater, N. Y. 'I'here he labored successfully 
almost seven years, during which time, substantial 
additions were made to the churcli. and the church 
property was greatly improved. The next three 
ye.irs and one-half were spent with the First Baptist 
church, Malonc, N. Y., where large additions were 
made and Mr. Farley strongly intrenched himself in 
the alTcctions, not onl}' of his own people but of the 
entire community. The first of September '96, he 
entered upon the pastorate of the F"irst Baptist church 
of this village, and already has a large place in the 
hearts of the people. He is evangelical and earnest 
in his preaching, warm hearted and sympathetic in 
his pastoral labors and believes profoundly in the 
Old Gospel. He is happj' in his family, consisting of 
wife and four children, and is looking forward to a 
long and happy pastorate with the Oneonta people. 

St. James Church. — The history of the Episcopal 
church in Oneonta is that of a weak little mission, 
with a half dozen communicants and no propert}' in 




GEORGE B.^IRD'S RESIDENCE, CHESTNUT AND CHURCH vSTS. 
Photo, by Van Woert. ^ 

1839, struggling persistent!)' on through successes 
and failures, into a vigorous and influential parish of 
two hundred and fifty communicants in 1896; with a 
subs'antial and well-furnished stone church, and a 
handsome and ( onvenient rectory. 

In 1839, under the direction of Bishop Onderdonk^ 



34 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



of New York, the Rev. Andrew Hull was appointed At this time the services were held in Blend's Hall 

missionary for Otego and Oneonta. He officiated at on Main street, and there were connected with the 

Oneonta in the village school house every other Sun- church seventeen families, including about twenty 

day for about a year. Meanwhile a small chapel communicants and a small number of children in the 

was being erected on Main street opposite Broad, Sunday school. 




and on its completion the owners of the property, R. 
J. Emmons and others interested in the success of 
the church, gave the use of the building to the 
congregation. 

It was used as a place of worship for only a few 
months, when the missionary resigned his post; the 
building reverted to its owners, and was finally sold 
and used for secular purposes. 

Bishop Onderdonk visited Oneonta soon after the 
congregation began to worship in the chapel, and 
confirmed three persons. This is the first record of 
a confirmation in Oneonta. Bishop Wainwright, of 
New York, visited the town in 1853, and again the 
next j'ear, but there is no record of any confirmations 
by him on either occasion. 

Indeed, it seems that very little was done for sus- 
taining the work after the departure of Mr. Hull, 
until in 1864 the rector of Zion Church, Morris, the 
Rev. D. S. Tuttle, gave the mission a new start by 
holding occasional services in the Free-will Baptist 
Church. In this building four persons were con- 
firmed by Bishop Horatio Potter on the 31st of July. 
1865. And here services continued to be held by the 
successive clergymen in charge for the next four or 
five years. 

In 1869 Otsego county, having become a part of the 
newlj' formed Diocese of Albany, Bishop Doane 
visited Oneonta and confirmed three persons. Since 
that time he has visited the parish nearly every year, 
and there have been confirmed in all about two hun- 
dred persons. 

On April 7th, 1870, the mission was organized as 
St. James' Mission, the Rev. L. H. Lighthipe being 
the minister in charge, with John Cope, warden ; 
Dr. Meigs Case, treasurer, and James Cope, clerk. 



POSTMASTER KIRKLAND AND STAFF. 

The 3'ear 1871 was marked by two important 
events. For on the 4th day of April in that year the 
mission was legall)' incorporated as St. James' par- 
ish, electing two wardens and eight vestrymen ; and 
on the 27th day of June in the same year the corner- 




GEORGE F. ENTLER, M. D. 

stone of the church, which now graces the junction 
of Main and Elm streets, was laid by Bishop Doane. 
In both these events the Rev. Robert Washbon, 
the rector, and Mr. John Cope, the senior warden, 
were the moving spirits, and to their personal lib- 
erality and persistent efforts the oarish is largely 
indebted for the success which, after several years 
of anxious toil, finally crowned the undertaking. 
It was not until Nov. 7th, iSgo, however, that the 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



35 



church, being enlirel}' finished and paid for. was set 
apart by Bishop Doane from all worldly and unhal- 
lowed uses, and solemnly consecrated to the service 
and worship of Almighty God. 

Ground was broken for the foundation of the 
rectory late in December, 1S92, and the building 
was completed and ready for use by the ist of June 
the following year. In the basement of the rectory 
a large room is provided for the meetings of the 
various parochial organizations. Of these there are 
several devoted to earnest Christian work along vari. 
ous lines, and they are intended to include all 
parishioners who are willmg to take an active part 
in the Master's service. The present officers of the 
parish are : Rev. J. E. Bold, rector ; John Cope and 
Richard Downes, wardens ; J. D. Beach, A. W. 
Carr, S. S. Matteson, I. L. Pruyn, B. F. Sisson, 
H. B. Somers, James Stewart and R. M, Townsend, 
vestrymen. 



F. L. Dibble, vice-president ; Mrs. C. H. Bowdish. 
treasurer ; Miss Vivian Herineton. Secretary. 

There is also a junior branch of the guild, and a 
boys' club, under the direction of proper officers. 

KEY TO THE POST OFFICE FORCE. 

[See page 34.] 
I— G. Kirkland, Postmaster. 2— J. F. Hynes, Assistant. 



4— John W. Telford. 
6-Wm. K. Wilson. 
S— Charles Southworth. 
10— M. J. Hickey. 



3 — Solon E. Hopkins. 
5— George K. Bond. 
7 — Charles H. Mahan. 
9— Clarence A. McMinu. 
II— Homer J. Rogers. 

KEY TO STAR FIFE AND DRUM CORPS. 
I— Harry Bissell. 2 -Louis Thurston. 

3— Charles Rollins. 4- Charles F. Farmer. 



-Charles White. 
7 — Lyman J. Fisher. 
9 — Charles W. Coy. 
II— Rudolf Powers. 



6 — Allen Rounds. 
8— William H. Howard. 
10— Albert B. Bush. 



Powhattan Tribe, No. 51, I. 0. R. M., consists of 
ninety members, and is constantly growing. A suite 
of four rooms on the upper floor of the Reynolds 
Block, which includes the wigwam and adjacent 




THE STAR FIFE AND DRUM CORPS. 



The Parish Aid Society was organized on March 
15th, 1889, as an auxiliary to the vestry in raising 
money for the various departments of parochial 
work. In the fulfillment of its purpose it has been 
a marked success, having rendered efficient aid in 
many directions, especialh^ in the improving of the 
church edifice and in the building of the rector}\ 
The officers are: Mrs. Peter Weidman, president: 
Mrs. Silas S. Matteson, vice-president; Mrs. Meigs 
Case, treasurer ; Mrs. R. M. Townsend, secretary. 

The St. Marys' Guild was formed Oct. 15th, 1889, 
out of a Young Ladies' Society, which had been a 
working force in the parish for several years previ- 
ous to that date. Its object was an increased earn- 
estness in religious zeal, and more efficient work 
for Christ and His church. Its members take care 
of the chancel and altar, raise funds for parochial 
and mission work, and render assistance to the rec- 
tor and vestry along other lines. Altogether, the 
guild is a very important factor in the work of 
St. James' Church. The rector is president ; Mrs. 



apartments fitted up for a parlor, dining-room, and 
club purposes, constitute as cosy and comfortable 
quarters as any lodge or other organization in One- 
onta enjoys. The tribe has a collection of Indian 
weapons and belts, scalp locks, head-dress and 
buckskins, which are prized very highly. A wam- 
pum belt from the old Powhattan reservation in 
Virginia is one of the most valuable of these relics. 
The membership comprises many leading citizens. 
The charter is dated October 8, 1S84. The officers 
are: Sachem, P. C. Tompkins; senior sagamore, 
Benjamin Pierce; junior sagamore. Dr. J. C. Smith ; 
chief of records, E. J. Cass ; prophet, C. M. Bing- 
ham ; board of trustees, A. E. Ceperly, S. B. Borst. 
S. H. Brown. 

Stevens & Hills are extensive dealers in all kinds 
of hardware, builders' supplies, stoves, ranges, etc. 
This business, established in 1881, under the firm 
name of Lennon & Stevens, has shown by its steady 
growth the possibility of that remarkable develop- 
ment in trade which has marked the past few years 
in the building up of Oneonta. In 1886 Mr. Lennon 
retired from the business, and in December, 1887, 



36 



THB ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



Mr. Hills bought a half interest. The business was 
then conducted at No. 103 Main street. On April i, 
1892, it was removed to No. 124 Main street, where 
it was soon demonstrated that new and much larger 
quarters were needed. The firm broke ground for 
the large building which it erected especially for its 
own use in April, 1896. On Sept. i, 1896, the firm 




H. C. SMITH, MASTER MHCH.AXIC D. & H. 

had settled in its new home. This is a three-story 
and basement brick block with Ohio stone trim- 
mings, 100 feet deep and 22 feet wide. It is a very 
handsome structure, enclosed with massive walls, 
and having a plate-glass front affording the prettiest 
show window fur stoves and hardware between 
Albany and Binghamton. One feature of the busi- 
ness is the remarkably large and handsome variety 
of lamps, in which the firm has a flattering trade. 
The firm has all the facilities for turning 
out work in tin of all descriptions, includ- 
ing tin roofing, etc. Stevens & Hills 
handle the famous Dockash stoves and 
ranges exclusively. These stoves have 
become very popular, nearly i.ooo having 
been sold by this firm in this vicinity. 

Mr. Thomas W. Stevens has been en- 
gaged in the hardware business since 1S73, 
in which year he entered the employ of B. 
S. Dartt of Canton, Pa. In 1S80 he went 
with Pratt & Co., Elmira, wholesale hard- 
ware and jobbing. He was born in 
Franklin. Bradford county, Pa., Feb. 6, 
1855. He came to Oneonta in 18S0, and 
during iSgo and 'gi he served as president 
of the board of village trustees. He 
married Hattie T- Pierce of Alba, Pa., Sep- 
tember, 1876. He is a member of the 
Masonic lodge, and director and treasurer of the 
building and loan association. Mr. Charles E. 
Hills has been in the hardware business since 
1879, ^^ which time he engaged with Floyd. 
Chamberlin & Co. of Binghamton. In 1884 he 
went to SjTacuse, where for two and a half years 
he was with Robert McCarthy & Son. During 
a year and a half he traveled for Maurice E. Viele of 
Alban)'. He located in Oneonta in 1887. He is a 
member of the Masonic lodge and chapter and the 
Malta Commandery; also of the Mystic Shrine of 
Utica. 



L. Lendall Curtis was born at Lewiston, Me. At 
the age of sixteen took first prize for free-hand 
drawing and designing at city school. At eighteen 
was teacher of penmanship and drawing in the Acad- 
emy at Norway, Me. Three )'ears later was princi- 
pal of Commercial and Art School at Lewiston, and 
at twenty-five became a pupil in drawing and paint- 
ing of John Raphael, a noted artist of Montreal, 
Canada. He has sketched for the Berlin Litho- 
graph Company, Picturesque Canada, Harper's and 
Frank Leslie's Magazine®, and contributed to the 
New England Fireside. For eleven j'ears he had a 
studio in Boston, Mass., where he devoted his time 
to portrait painiinar and sculpture, having for his 
subjects many distinguished and noted persons, 
among whom was Mrs. Grover Cleveland. Of this 
work President Cleveland said in an autograph let- 
ter : " 1 am much pleased with it, both as a work of 
art and a likeness." Of the portrait'of Henry W. 
Grady of Atlanta, Ga., Mayor Glenn said : " It is a 
beautiful portrait, true in its likeness and exquisite 
in its art." Mr. Curtis located in Oneonta in Decem- 
ber, 1894, and has a studio at 269 Main street. Mr. 
Curtis is an artist in crayon, India, pastels and 
sculpture, He made a remarkable likeness from 
memory of J. R. L. Walling and a large portrait of 
Prof. Bull, which he gave to the Union School. 

Colburn Bros., the large, one-priced clothiers, has 
one of the best stocked and most complete establish- 
ments in this countr3\ C. C. and H. B. Colburn 
constitute the firm. When they located in Oneonta, 
October 15, 1892, it was in the Baird block. The}' 
opened a new and thoroughly up-to-date assortment 
of goods, which attracted attention at once. The 




COOPEKSTOWN, OTSEGO LAKE— SOrRCE:.OF SUSQUEHANNA. 

Styles that were shown were plainly selections from 
the best manufacturers and were the work of a buj'er 
who understood just what the trade wanted. So 
business began, and the firm started in on the one- 
price basis only, all goods marked in plain figures. 
Since then it has stuck to that text. It was soon 
found that the store was inadequate fur displaying 
the stock this firm carried and for accommodating the 
increased trade. Consequently, on April i, 1895, the 
business was removed to the spacious store in 
the new Doyle & Smith block, No. 155 Main street. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



37 



This enables the firm to carry on the average, in all 
seasons, not less than $15,000 worth of goods, not at 
all in the expensive nor the cheap lines, but in the 
inediiiin, principally with the grades ranging to the 




Photo, bv Smith. 



H. P. TOMPKIXS, JEWEIyRV. 



best. The stock comprises ready-made clothing, 
gentlemen's furnishing goods, trunks and bags, hats 
and caps, gloves, mittens, etc. The store, 100x26 
feet, is well lighted, affording the customer the best 
opportunity for selecting cloths. The specialty in 
hats with the firm is tlie Retsel, a splendid stjde of 
hat and very popular. 

IMPRESSIONS. 



The impressions of a three month's sojourn in 
Oneonta cannot do justice to the town, but they are 
all in its favor. It is beautiful for situation; a gem 
set in the midst of Nature's grand hills and inspiring 
scenery. Its location is central, and within easy 
reach of Binghamton, Syracuse, Albany, Philadel- 
phia and New York. Its climate is reasonably dry, 
and regarded as healthful. Its winters mild and 
summers comfortable. 

Its educational advantages are unexcelled. A 
splendid corps of teachers, capable and obliging, are 
found in both the village and Normal schools. The 
village is famous for its schools. 

Oneonta is justly proud of her churches, large in 
membership, strong in standing and character, earn- 
est in effort, christian in their relations to each other 
and to the world. She counts them foremost among 
her efficient and effective preservers. 
j> The people are free from caste feeling, frank and 
open in expression, broad and generous in sympathy, 
large-hearted and kindly in their relations to each 
other. Oneonta is a village of homes, and neigh- 
borly feeling prevails. Come and try it. 

Rf.v. E. J. Farley. 

Henry C. Smith, master mechanic of the Delaware 
and Hudson Railroad shops, came to Oneonta in 
1872 to put the machinery in the shops under the 
direction of Mr. Blackall. He was employed as a 
machinist until 18S4, when he was promoted to as- 



sistant foreman. In 1889 he was raised to the 
position he now occupies. He was born in Albany 
April 8, 1844. He served apprenticeship in his 
trade with Townsend & Jackson of that city, after- 
wards working' for the 
Delawarefand'Hudson 
company there until he 
came to this place. He 
has charge of the work 
of usually about 450 
men, who are employed 
in repairing all engines 
on the division between 
Albany and Bingham- 
ton. Much of this is 
of the nature of new 
work. He has pleasant 
offices, in which are 
employed seven clerks, 
of whom C. J. Norton 
is the chief. Mr. 
Smith takes consider- 
able personal interest 
in the welfare of all his 
men. and his aim is to 
surround himself with 
that class of workmen 
who are conscien- 
tious and interested in 
doing their best in the 

interests of the" company. Under his direction the 
shops have been surrounded with pleasant yards, 
and the approaches are beautified with plats of 
flowers, which are taken from his greenhouse during 
summer. 

Mr. Smith married Mary Proctor, of Albany, in 
July, 1867. He is a charter member of the Odd Fel- 
lows and of the Knights of Honor, and a member of 
the Royal Arcanum and the United Friends. He is 




H. \V. LEE, EDITOR OF THE STAR. 

a patriarch militant of the first-named order. He is 
a charter member of the Y. M. C. A . , in which he 
has devoted much time in advancing the local order. 
He is a member of the educational committee. 



38 



THE ONEONTA HLSTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



A. E. Nye, baker, No. 6 Chestnut street, having 
had seventeen j'ears' experience, is giving that satis- 
faction which brings him the best class of trade. 
There could be no better arranged shop anywhere. 
The public appreciates delicacies, for the stomach's 




F. S. PATTRIDC.E, RESIDENCE. T. W. STEVENS, RESIDENCE 

A. E. KELLOGG, RESIDENCE. 

sake, and the public is served at this place with the 
ver}' best. It is a large bakerj', four bakers being 
employed and a thousand loaves being the dail)' pro- 
duction of bread. Two carts are run in town and 
two outside. Fifty barrels of molasses are used an- 
nuall3\ Mr. Nye was born in Cortland county July 
lo, 1S58. He learned the trade of Cobb & Perkins, 
with whom he remained six years, afterward.s open- 
ing a shop in Owego with his brother. When he 
came to Oneonta he obtained employment of O. A. 
Benton, of whom he subsequently bought the busi- 
ness, moving it to his present stand in December, 
1893. He married Harriett Batterson. of Elmira, 
September, 14, 18S4. 

M. E. Wilder & Son opened their large dry -goods 
store in (Oneonta May 8, 1895, at No. 149 Main 
street. It is a completely stocked store, with spa- 
cious plate glass show windows, in which consider- 
able taste is shown in displaying the goods. The 
interior is very prettily finished, with the newest and 
best fixtures and the most modern equipments, in- 
cluding one of the large-sized Lamson cash carriers, 
and fine nickel fixtures. The business started off 
with a flattering patronage, which is showing a 
stead)' increase, giving seven experienced clerks 
steady employment. This is one of the largest single- 
floor establishinents in this part of the State. The 
specialties of this firm are dress goods, cloaks and 
fine kid gloves, comprising the latest and best manu- 
facture, and affording a large variet}' from which to 
make selections. There are also the many lines 
usually carried b}' a house doing an extensive busi- 
ness, such as ladies' garments of every description, 
linens, notions, draperies, hosiery, underwear, etc. 
M. E. Wilder was born in New Bremen, Lewis 
Co., July 24, 1S49. He carried on business there 



for many years. In 1885 he removed to Westfield, 
Pa., where, on February i, 1895, his son was ad- 
mitted as a partner. He married Hattie L. Wood, 
of Onondaga, in 1S70. L. E. Wilder was born in 
New Bremen Jul}' 26, 1873. After graduating from 
Genesee Wesleyan Seminary he entered the employ 
of Adam, Meldrum &: And- 
erson Co., of Buffalo. N.Y., 
to prepare himself for active 
business. On Thanksgiving 
day. 1894. he married Helena 
S. Williams, of Tonawanda, 
N. Y. 

The League of American 
Wheelmen, Oneonta. — I n 

enumerating the various or- 
ganizations in Oneonta The 
League of American Wheel- 
men should not be over- 
looked. This grand organi- 
zation, which extends to 
every State in the Union, 
and which has during the 
past season, made such 
great strides of progression, 
is well represented in One- 
onta. Previous to this year 
the membership here was 
nominal, but through the 
earnest efforts of the local 
consul. Ralph P. Stoddard 
and the ex-consuls, George 
Bierhardt and Frank A. 
Herrieff, the membership has been increased b}' 
about sixt)' names. The veteran League member 
of Oneonta is F. M. H. Jackson, who is also worthy 
of much praise for the interest he has taken in 
League matters. He was for a number of years 
the only League member in town. These 
young men, as well as many others who assisted 
them, have at heart the interest of c)'cling, and 
their efforts were not confined to the increasing 
of membership alone. The influence of the League 
has been exerted to the benefit of every wheelman 
and wheelwoman in the con)iminit\'. Through their 




L. L. CLRTIS. 

influence guide boards have been erected at every 
highway crossing and fork of roads in the town, 
giving distances and directions, and in another sea- 
son the work will be extended through this county 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



39 



and the adjoining counties. The League members 
make it a point to welcome every visiting wheelman 
who comes to Oneonta and assist him in whatever 
way possible. The League headquarters are at the 




cyclists. Tourists visiting Oneonta who desire in- 
formation regarding routes, etc., will find the local 
consul, Mr. Stoddard, at the Daily Star office, ever 
willing to assist them. On account of the royal 
welcome shown tourists, the Oneonta League wheel- 
men have won a wide reputation, and courteous 
treatment is assured all strangers who will make 
themselves known in this progressive League town. 
The members are : 



R. W. STODDARD, CONSUL L. A. W. 

Windsor Hotel, Chestnut street. This house allows 
a discount of 25 per cent, to League members and 
gives them the best of attention. A League club 
will be organized before another season and a club 
room, at some convenient location, will be main- 
tained. The amount of good the members have 
been able to do for the cause of cycling in the past 
will be greatly increased by local organization, and 
it is expected every League member will lend his 
aid to the perfecting of a club for League members 
in Oneonta. The expense of joining the League is 
$2.00, which amount pays for one 3'ear's member- 



JAS. W, TAYLOR, 
F. K. TAYLOR, 
H. E. WHITNEY, 
J. J. WOOD, 
S. J. WRIGHT, 
W. W. DARHEE, 
C. M. DICKINSON, 
S. B. ELLIOTT, 
C. E. FORD, 
CHAS. GARDNER, 

F. A. HERIEFF, 
HENRY HEGEVVALD, 
R. HOLMES, 

W. F. HUNGERFORD, 

W. H. IVES, 

L. J. PATTON. 

A. C. POTTER, 

S. H. POTTER, 

E. W. POPE. 

G. I. REYNOLDS, 
L E. ROGERS, 

"R. P. STODDARD, 
THOS. W. STEVENS, 
A. C. SPENCER. 
E. B. SMITH. 
JAS. SKINNER, 
E. W. SPENCER. 




Photo, bv Smith. 



E. D. LEWIS' JEWELRY STORE. 



ship. A renewal costs $1.00 a year. Each member 
receives The Bulletin, a lively and interesting 
weekly magazine, and all road books and maps. 
The new road book will contain manj' routes 
through this section of the State available to Oneonta 



C. E. AIKINS, 
JACK BLAIR, 
G. A. BIERHARDT, 
L BIDFORD, 
"Mrs. J. BIDFORD, 
L L. BOWDISH, 
"G. A. BURNSIDE, 
A. M. BUTTS, 
C. W. BROWN, 
L. O. BURDICK, 
G. CHAMBERLIN, 
H. T. CONKLING, 
M. G. CON NELL, 
T. M. H lACKSON, 
H. D.JENNINGS, 
C. E. KENNEDY, 
H. W. LEE. 
THOMAS LORD, 
E. D. LEWIS, 
G. A. LANE, 
L A.NILES. 
"G. E. MOORE, 
RALPH McCUNE, 
C. F. MAYHAM. 
C. H. McGONEGAL, 
FRANK MONROE, 
|. W. NORTON. 
"GEO. U. NORTON, 

Charles E. Dibble, the Chief of Police, was ap- 
pointed to that post in March. i8q6, after serving as 
patrolman since the spring of 1S92. The police de- 
partment is not as large as it should be, and with 
but four officers to patrol 
a place having 10,000 in- 
habitants, serve all war- 
rants, protect propert3'and 
preserve good order, when 
the 7>iorale of the town is 
above the average, as it is 
here, there is no sinecure 
in holding the office of 
chief. The present in- 
cumbent was appointed 
because he had become 
popular, was widely ac- 
i|uainted, and had proven 
himself to be a careful and 
observing officer. He had 
worked for the railroad 
company for about two 
years, having come to 
Oneonta in 1890. The 
chief of police in a town 
of this size is left to exer- 
cise his own judgment to a 
greater extent than in a 
larger place, and in man}' 
cases a great deal of res- 
|)onsibility rests upon 
iiim, having less means at 
his command and being 
required, as a matter of 
course, to perform in part 
patrol duty. The chief has given good satisfaction 
and made man)' friends. He was born in Daven- 
port, Delaware county, November 11, i860. He 
was married to Catharine D. Simmons, of that 
place, November 10, 1885. 



40 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



Edmunds Brothers are large retail dealers in gro- Dr. Charles F. Baylis, a leading dentist of this 



ceries at No. 218 Main street. Their business dur- 
ing recent years has grown with rapid strides until 
it is now one of the largest in that line in town. The 
members of the firm are Arthur N. and Charles B. 
The business was originall}' conducted under the 
name of McMinn & Co. Arthur N. Edmunds first 
bought out the interest of J. O. Rowe, and for four 
years the firm was McMinn & Edmunds. His 
brother then succeeded Fred. McMinn, and since 
that time the business has been conducted under the 
present name. It comprises all kinds of domestic 
and the many leading brands of imported goods 
usually sold in a grocery. Three men are kept busy 



place, whose practice is quite extensive in all forms 
of modern and skilled dental work known to the 
profession, is located in pleasant and centrall)'^ situ- 
ated parlors on the second fioor of the Ford Block, 
No. 184 Main street, where Dr. George W. Gold- 
smith, whom he succeeded, was formerly located. 
Dr. Baylis was born in Waterville, Oneida count)', 
April 8, 1870. His parents. W. Fred. Baylis and 
wife, whose maiden name was Mary Burch, were 
natives of this state. The doctor was educated in 
the public schools and in the University of Mary- 
land, at Baltimore, where he completed his studies 
in dentistry and was graduated March 17, 1S92. He 




Photo, by Smith. JI.\PLK .STRICET. CllH^T.XL T ^^ 1 REHT, I.UtiKIXi., WKST. 



CENTRE .STREET. 



waitingon customers most of the time. The delivery 
of goods extends over a considerable part of the 
town, which is a proof of the popularity of this firm. 
Arthur Edmunds was born in Oneonta June S, 1S65. 
At 18 years of age he began as a clerk for M. Bene- 
dict at Sidney Centre. Fours years later he came to 
Oneonta, and remained a year with Fletcher & Mur- 
dock. After spending another year at Sidney Centre, 
he returned to Oneonta, and went into the business, of 
which he is now a part owner as a clerk. He married 
Alice C. Reynolds, of Sidney Centre, December 30, 
1885. Charles B. Edmunds was born in Oneonta. No- 
vember 27, 1865. He was first employed by George 
E. Hally at Sidnej' Centre, and subsequently, for a 
year, for Reuben Reynolds, of Oneonta. He mar- 
ried Nellie M. Somerville, of Davenport, January 
27. 1893. 



married Miss Lillian, the daughter of Mr. George 
Hufford, of Oneonta, March 25. 1896. He is a pop- 
ular member of several organizations, comprising 
the Masonic Lodge, the Oneonta Chapter and the 
Oneonta Club. He is an active member of the First 
Baptist Church and of the Y. M. C. A., in which 
latter association he is deepl}' interested. 

The Daily Newspapers. — The years previous to 
1887 had marked so rapid and substantial a growth 
in Oneonta that the subject of a daily paper was 
then strongly canvassed, and the necessity becoming 
apparent, on Maj' 2 of that year the Oneonta Daily 
Local made its appearance. The paper was diminu- 
tive in size — 12^ x 10 inches, 4 columns, 4 pages. 
On May 31, 1887, two inches were added to the 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



41 



length of the columns, and a similar addition was 
made Januar)' 2, 188S. On February 6, same year, 
the Local suspended. It is but just to say here, 
however, that the failure of the Local w^s not the 
lack of support on the part of the villagers, but was 
brought about from entirely different causes. That 




C. II. McGONKGAL. 

this deduction is a true one is demonstrated, for but 
thirteen days were allowed to elapse, when a new 
paper, the Oneonta Daily Nezvs, made its appearance, 
on February 20, 1888. This paper, with varying ex- 
periences and numerous enlargements, continued to 
occupy the field for over two 3'ears without opposi- 
tion. The size of the first News was. 17 x 11 inches, 
4 columns, 4 pages. On Tuesdaj', April 24, 1888, 
the Newsw^s enlarged to a 5-column paper; columns 
lengthened 2| inches, February 22, iS8g; a six-col- 
umn paper was issued September 25, 1889, and these 
columns were lengthened October i6th. This was 
the size of the paper at the time its good will and 
subscription list were sold to, as stated in its valedic- 
tory, " a worthy rival," April 30, 1891. In answer 
to a demand for a paper that would better reflect 
Oneonta, its business enterprise and constantly 
widening borders, on June ig, iSgo, the Star issued 
its first number. 

The publication was started with ^n entirel}' new 
outfit, such as could be obtained only by an outlay 
of a large sum of money, and it was fortunate for 
The Star, and the village, that the financial backing 
of the paper was ample. On its first appearance, 
The Star was a 7-C0I., 24x36 inch 4-page paper. 
The reception of The Star by the Oneonta people, 
was so marked, and the patronage in advertising so 
far exceeded expectations, that the second edition 
had not been printed before an order for more type, 
to meet urgent needs, had been sent to the type 
founders. With hosts of friends constantly flocking 
to it, 7"^!? Star has had an onward march, and on 
September 19, 1891, it was not considered too hazard- 
ous to increase the size of the paper. Accordingly, 
on that date, another column was added to each of 
the four pages. At no time since its first issue has 
the support of The Star been other than gen- 
erous, and the management has appreciated the 
public favor, ever putting forth the effort to make 
the paper, in all its 'details, an Oneonta paper, 



devoted to and advocating every interest that would 
tend to its growth in wealth and moral force. It is 
impossible to over-estimate the influence and benefit 
of such a paper as The Star has been to a commu- 
nity. Circulating largely not only in the village, the 
county, and adjoining counties, but having an ever- 
increasing number of subscribers, mostly among 
former residents or those who have interests here. 
The Star is read daily in many parts of the Union, 
and often falls into the hands of people who hereto- 
fore did not know of the importance of the vil- 
lage, and are attracted to it by its daily paper, 
which in its editorial news, typographical appear- 
ance and general make-up, is much the superior of 
papers printed in similar towns. In interviewing 
T/te Star, Grip found a special characteristic of the 
paper that showed how completely it is dominated 
by the policy of Oneonta, first, last, and all the time. 
The Star, hyh\gh rates to outside advertisers, whose 
business would clash with home firms, practically 
excludes other than local advertisers. Not long ago 
a city firm asked for rates for half a page, and was 
anxious to secure the same. This firm was friendly 
and funny enough, when it received terms, to re- 
ply that its wish was to advertise, not to buy the 
paper; and though it made a flattering offer, hav- 
ing ascertained the value of TheStar as an advertis- 
ing medium, it was declined. The Star is firm in 
its convictions that a loyal support of the interests 
of Oneonta will bring as earnest a support from 
Oneonteans to the paper. 

For the success of this leading enterprise of 
Oneonta, great credit is due to the present editor 
and proprietor, H. W. Lee. He is the son of Rev. 
J. N. Lee, and though born _]at Kerkurro May 30, 
1870, during his early days he was so much in 
Oneonta and vicinity, having been a pupil of the 




C. E. DIBBLE, CHIEF OF POLICE. 

Academy street school, a teacher at Mt. Vision, and 
a member of The Ne%vs staff, that he is regarded al- 
most as a native of the village. But a trifle over 20 
years of age at the inception of the paper, he threw 
all the vigor of his strong constitution and sanguine 
temperament into the enterprise, and has recognized 



42 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAIv SOUVENIR. 



nothing too arduous in his eftbrts to keep The Star 
in the first ranks of provincial journalism. Though 
the paper is independent in policy, it has been by 
no means neutral, and so conscientious has it been 
in all matters pertaining to the public good that its 
influence in the community is large. 

Mr. Lee has always expressed himself as being 
most fortunate in securing as a right-hand man the 
services, in the general conduct of the paper, of 
William J. Mason. Being older in j^ears and with 
a larger experience in newspaper work, Mr. Mason's 
judgment as to detail, etc., has been recognized and 
valued. The first man to occupy the position of 
bookkeeper and collector on The Star was F. W. 
Whitcomb, now one of the prosperous grocery firm 
of Whitcomb & Hecox. E. E. Giles, who first 



onta, is Ralph P. Stoddard, formerl}' of Bridge- 
water, who is an earnest worker. He is a graduate 
of the Albany Business College, a short-hand writer 
and an expert manipulator of a tj'pewriter. In con- 
nection with the Star, it is the boast of the office that 
every man engaged on it has its interests most at 
heart, and the force is ever ready to make whatever 
sacrifice is necessary to accomplish a purpose. The 
work is done with the utmost good fellowship, and 
in the printing office, in charge of F. A. Jennings, 
are four of the graduated apprentices : F. A. Bissell, 
W. H. Howard, Wm. B. Mason and H. C. Fish. 
The present apprentices are Dorr Horick and John 
McCabe. The paper has a loyal staff of corre- 
spondents and its contributors are among the best 
citizens in the community. No paper ever had 
a more hustling and wide-awake lot of carrier boys, 
and several heretofore and now are employing this 




Photo, bv Younc 



SCENES .'iT THE CENTRAL HOTEL. 



assisted in reportorial work, assumed Mr. Whit- 
comb's office on his retirement. F. M. H. Jackson 
in turn succeeded Mr. Giles, he going to New York, 
and under able instructors has taken an enviable 
rank in Gotham as a tenor singer. Mr. Jackson, at 
this time, still occupies the position, and, in addi- 
tion, renders valuable service to the paper in report- 
ing, he being an expert short-hand writer. He is 
the son of M. L. S. Jackson, is a popular Red Man 
and a sergeant in the Third Separate company. 
Later in the paper's history, J. A. Reynolds, son of 
George Reynolds, an influential citizen, residing on 
Grand street, this village, was added to the repor- 
torial staff', and at different times has been a most 
valuable adjunct to the paper. Alert, active, able 
and conscientious, he is to the manner born and 
makes an ideal reporter. Another capable reporter 
on the staff, who has made many friends in One- 



means to help them secure a higher education than 
they might otherwise obtain, and are pupils both 
at the Normal and Union schools. 

Mrs. S. Scott owns the largest green-house on the 
Susquehanna road outside of Albany, not excepting 
any in Binghamton. She built the first of the group 
of glass structures when there was not another sim- 
ilar enterprise on this road. It was onlj^ thirty-five 
feet long. To da}' the enclosures under glass at her 
place, corner of Grove and Cliff streets, aggregate 
over 5,000 square feet of floor space. It was on 
May 1, 1S81, that with pluck and determination, in 
spite of contrary advice, she started in the business 
in the limited way above mentioned. In the fall of 
1883 she required more room, and tore down the 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



43 



■original structure and built what are now the main 
green-houses. Up to five years ago last Marcli she 
did all the work herself. Then she liired a jjardener, 
and now has an extra hand to keep up with the de- 
mand that is pressing upon her. In 1892 she boujrht 
additional ground and constructed two additional 
houses, each a hundred feet long. This fall she 




M. H. RIDDELL. 

added another building for violets, and enlarged the 
office. She has put in a large Furman boiler, manu- 
factured by the Herendeen Manufacturing Company, 
which furnishes the heat for both her residence and 
the green-houses, and to which she lias attached a hot- 
water tank for supplying the sprinklers. The main 
green-house encloses the space for chr\sainhemuins, 
59x12 feet; that for smilax 
and lilies, 50x16 feet, and 
the office. The double- 
span house for roses is iS 
x8o, and that for carnations 
100 x 10 feet. Then there 
is a house for palms, 
orchids and ferns, 12x18 
feet. The violet and coU!- 
house is 100x8 feet. The 
houses are all equipped 
with thebest conveniences, 
including sectional venti- 
lators, iron supports, 
raised benches, and wire 
trellis. She ships verj' 
largely to Binghamton and 
New York, and in the 
summer supplies m a n }• 
summer resorts. Her 
hoiTie trade is quite large. 

Dauley & Wright, deal- 
ers in monuments, are 
very widely k n o av n 
through the eastern part 
of the State. A great deal 
of very fine work has been 
placed in Albany. Scho- riioto. by Smith. M 

harie, Otsego, Delaware and Broome counties, 
including many large and expensive monu- 
ments, which have made for the firm an enviable 
reputation. In some cases, notabh' those of the 
Hon. David Wilber, Augustus D. Ferguson, 
Oneida, and Annie Louise Greer in Rural cemetery, 
Albany, Dauley & Wright produced life-sized 



statues which were pronounced to he excellent re- 
productions of the originals. The work in marble 
and granite is equal to that turned out by the largest 
dealers. It has been set up where competition with 
those houses was the sharpest. In Otsego, Scho- 
harie and Delaware counties this firm has the lead 
over all rivals. One very great advantage is offered 
to the customer, and that is because the stock on 
hand offers a great variety of selections, its aggre- 
gate value being $12,000 and upwards. During the 
past year the shop has been fitted with pneumatic 
tools for carving granite, operated by compressed 
air, and enabling one man to do the work of three a 
great deal better than can be done by hand. The firm, 
I. S. Dauley and C. M. Wright succeeded to the 
business of Howe Bros. January i, 1889. During 
the first year the sales showed a marked increase, 
which has become larger each succeeding year. At 
the time the business changed hands Mr. Dauley 
was the foreman in the shop and Mr. Wright was 
the salesman. Both were practical men and had a 
large acquaintanceship. The former had twenty 
3'ears' experience in marble cutting. In 1S86 he 
came to Oneonta from Iroquois, Canada, where, at 
seventeen years of age, he began learning the trade. 
He was born in Ontario, May 25, 1859 ; married 
Antoinette Ostrander, of Oneonta, February i, 1887. 
He is a member of the Masonic order and of the M. 
E. church. Charles M. Wright was born in Wor- 
cester, N. Y., June 21, 1854. Twenty years ago he 
began selling for Howe Bros, and continued as 
their salesman until they came to Oneonta and sold 
out to the present firm. He married Jessie Kelly, 
of Schenevus, June 25, 1875. He is a member of 
the Masonic order. 




H. RIDDEIX'S LAUNDRY. 

H. A. Fisher, dealer in pianos, organs, and other 
musical instruments, succeeded to the business of 
Fisher & Ogden in the Windsor Hotel building, 
Nov. 1st, 1896. Ou February i, 1882. the firm 
started the business in Main street, and in Nov. 1893, 
moved to the present quarters. Mr. Fisher came to 
Oneonta in 1881, and was in the employ of Shearer, 



44 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




INGALL'S STONU YARD. 

the well known dealer in musical supplies until the 
copartnership between Mr. Ogden and himself was 
formed. He is a composer of instrumental and vocal 
music and has completed 35 manuscripts. For 
several years he taught vocal music, and upon com- 
ing to Oueonta, he became active in musical circles, 
being for some time a member of the Metropolitan 
Orchestra and for eight years the organist of the 
Fir.st Baptist Church. His business, however, has 
left him no time for outside matters. The instru- 
ments he handles are of the best manufacture, in- 
cluding principally the Kranich & Bach, the Everett, 
Harvard, Haines, and the Crown pianos ; also, 
the Packard, Estey, Kimball and the Lehr & Co. 
Organs. His stock of small instruments comprise 
the high grade goods. The territory in which 
he has made many large sales includes the 
counties of Otsego, Delaware, Chenango, and 
portions of Broome. Mr. Fisher was born in 
Burlington, N. Y., June 26, 1S60. ^At 16 
years of age be entered the profession he has 
since followed. He came to 
Oneonta in 1881. He is a 
member of the First Baptist 
Church and the Y. P. S. C. P.. 
His assistants are Miss Mary 
E.Webster, bookkeeper. Miss 
Bertha Brainerd, clerk, R. W. 
Elmer. His business is rep 
resented by a local agent in 
Scbenevus, Afton, Nineveh, 
Binghamton and Norwich. 

The Press. — The first issue 
of the Oneonta Press bore the 
date of May 19th, 1877. and 
its editor and publisher was 
George W. Reynolds. It was 
a seven column folio paper, 
and was Republican in poli- 
tics. Mr. Reynolds conduc- 
ted T/ie Press for about 
eighteen months, and its new 
proprietor made it a Demo- 
cratic paper. It has been 
published continuously since 
its first issue, although there 
has been many changes in its 



management. On June 27th, 1S95, 
Henry G. Bishop changed the name 
to T/ie Otsego Democrat and Oneonta 
Press, and that name it will un- 
doubtedly continue to hold, although 
it is even now more generally known 
of and spoken of as The Press. On 
February 27th, 1896, its form was 
changed from an eight-column folio 
to a six-column quarto, and on June 
22nd, 1896, Louis \V. Ferenbaugh 
(a sketch of whom appears else 
where in this souvenir) succeeded 
Mr. Bishop as editor and publisher. 
Under his management the business 
of the office has greatly increased, 
while his editorial work stamps the 
paper as a thorough and out spoken 
one that cannot fail to be of vast aid 
to that party. A finely equipped 
job office is attached, and the work 
that comes therefrom is at once 
spoken of as artistic, while a 
specialty is made of quick work as well. The 
office is finely located in the Lewis «& Wilson 
brick block, at 10 Broad street, and occupies the 
northern ground floor half of the block, which is 
finely lettered " l^he Oneonta Press." The presses, 
five in number, are run by water power. The pres- 
ent staff of the office is as follows: Editor and pub- 
lisher, Louis VV. Ferenbaugh: associate editor, S. H. 
Ferenbaugh; foreman, Arthur G. Weed; William O. 
Hibbard, Joseph Malle)'. 

Journeymen Tailors' Union, No. 112, Oneonta. — 
This union has been organized since October ist, 
1894, by George Woodburn, organizer of Trades and 
Labor Council of Oneonta. It started with a mem- 
bership of seven ; George Yagel, president, and at 
the present time has a membership of thirteen. 
Mrs. Jennie Collins, president. The members of 
the union have received better wages since its or- 
ganization, and at the present time meet once a 
month in Critic Hall. Wilber Block. 




L.\rREXS & ROWE'S CROCKERY AND NOTION STORE, 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



45 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. 
The first record of any organized fire companj- for 
the village of Oneonta was in May, 1S47, and was 
organized bj* authority of E. S. Brown, supervisor of 
the town; Elisha Sheppard atid Samuel J. Cook, 
justices of the peace, and was before any charter of 
the village had been granted. This company was com- 
posed of the following charter members : Ira In- 
man, Orlando Sullivan, T. D. Watkins, Wm. Mc- 
Crum, G. P. Dietz, DeVVitt Ford, Geo. H.Bond, J. 
D. Lindsey, Anthony White, John McCraney, D. J. 



secretary and treasurer, D. J. Yager; with T. 
D. Watkins, De Witt Ford and Gould P. 
Dietz, as a standing committee. The company was 
designated as Fire Engine Company No. i. The uni- 
form adopted was red shirt, gray pants, black belt 
and fire hat, and the engine named Yankee. This 
engine was probably purchased new and at some 
point in Massachusetts. No known record of the 
company e.\ists later than 1858, and the company 
went out of existence soon after, and the engine was 
sold in parts and used by several citizens of the town 




I Rev. J. Elliot Bone, 

Methodist (photo by Young). 



5 Rev. C. S. Pendleton, 

Fret Win Baptist. 



THE CLEROY OF ONEONTA. 

2 Rev. E. J. Farley, 

ist Baptist. 

4 Rev. J. E. Boid, 
St. James'' Episcopal [photo by Van IVoert). 

6 Rev. R. L. Welch, 

United Presbyterian. 



3 Rev. N. M. Hall, 

1st Presbyterian, 



7 Rev. L. L. Greene, 

Universalist [photo by Curtis.) 



Yager, Geo. W. Murray, J. P. VanWoert, C. P. 
Hunting, Isaac H. Peters, Wm. H. Wild, Carleton 
Watkins, L. S. Osborn, Ira Derby and Lewis B. 
Smith. The charter list was filed with W. Wright, 
town clerk. May ig, 1847, and on the 20th of the 
same month the company met at the hotel of John 
M. Watkins, and elected the following officers : 
Captain, Collis P. Huntington ; first lieutenant, 
Ira Derby ; second lieutenant, John McCraney ; 



for various purposes, and ceased to exist as an en- 
gine. 

On Januar}' 22, 1S60, a meeting was held at the 
band room for the purpose of organizing a fire com- 
pany, and T. D. Watkins was made chairman, and 
John Cope, Jr., secretary. The president of the 
village was present and delivered certificates to 36 
members. Who the members of the company were 
or the officers elected there is no record. The en- 



46 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



gine purchased for this company came originally 
from the city of Albany, and was bought through a 
gentletnan by the name of Courier, of Cobleskill. 
The compan)' was named Resolute Engine Company, 
No. I, and in January, 1864, we find them with 
Saerl Hudson, foreman; Hiram J. Brewer, first 
assistant ; H. J. Collins, second assistant ; and John 
Cope, Jr., secretary and treasurer, with a member- 
ship of 43. In the meantime many of the old mem- 
bers of this company and of Engine Compan)' No. i 
had gone to the front, and the organization existed 
until about 1S69, when it ceased to exist. The en- 
gine was sold for junk, and the village was left with- 
out any fire protection but the bucket brigade up to 
June, 1876, when the board of trustees, composed 
of J. D. Primmer, Anthony White, Stephen Bull. 
Thos. H. Rockwell and Sylvester Ford, decided to 
purchase the equipment for a first-class fire depart 
ment, and a committee appointed by the board pur- 
chased a steam fire engine and hose cart of the But- 
ton Manufacturing Company of Waterford, N. Y., 
also a first-class hook and ladder truck, and steps 
were immediately taken to form a first-class fire de- 
partment. Oneonta Steamer Compan)', No. i, was 
first accepted b}' the board with the following charter 
members : L. S. Emmons, G. A. Hunter, Walter 
Scott, C. M. Smith, E. S. Bell, W. H. Mereness, M. 
Mandelbunn, L. B. Lennon, W, A. Pardoe, H. B. 
Skinner, Chas. Saxton, H. D. Jennings, F. A. Peck. 
Judd W. Mann, M. L. S. Jackson, L. H. Groat, 
Wni. H. Couse, J. H. Keyes, A. S. Reynolds, A. f. 
Whitney, H. Saunders, C. T. Bush, W. A. Laken 
I. Doolittle, T. H. Briggs, A. R. Allen, D. W.. 
Brainard, Wm. H. Wilson, E. H. Wright and J. T. 
Dewar. The first officers were : Foreman, Geo. A. 
Hunter; first assistant, Walter Scott: second as- 



pany, No. i, with the following charter;; members : 
Thomas Doyle, L. Millard. Fred. Whitenhall, 
George W. IngallF, Albert C. /|,Wolcott. E. 
Sherman, H. Merrihew, H. E. Bundy. J. McCaf- 
ferty, J. W. Mull, A. Snyder, C. L. Watson, G. 





Photo, by Smith. 



M. K. WII.DlvR ^: .SOX'S DRY GOODS STORK 



sistant, W. H. Mereness ; secretary, Henry Saunders, 
treasurer, E. S. Bell; engineer, J. D. Primmer; 
first assistant engineer, J. W. Mann. They 
were quickly followed by Centennial Hose Com- 



CHAKI.i;S .AND ARTHUR KDMUXDS. 

tiiles, R. C. Burgess, George Austin, J. O. Vor- 

hees, A. C. Lewis, N. E. Conant, M. Maloney, G. 

Ward, A. Jeflfers. J. H. Oderkirk, J. Stranahan, G. 

D. Bedford, W. C. Lewis, George Vincent, S. M. 

Ballard, J. C. Richmond, Leroy Mickell, C. A. 

Smith, Charles Smith and J. M. Ostrom. The first 

officers were: Foreman. J. M. Ostrom; first assist- 
ant, H. E. Bundy ; sec- 
ond assistant, Thomas 
Doyle; president, H. E. 
Conant; vice-president, 
C. A. Smith; secretar}', 
A. Jeffers ; treasurer, 
Charles Smith, and 
steward, George Vin- 
cent. This company 
was known as Centen- 
nial Hose Company, No. 
I, until June I3lh, 1877, 
when the name was 
changed to Lewis Hose 
Compan}', No. i, in 
honor of A. C. Lewis, 
also a member of the 
company, who became 
the second chief engi- 
neer of the new Oneonta 
fire department. The 
steamer and hose com 
panics were accepted by 
the board of trustees in 
Februar}' of the 3'ear 
1876, and Oneonta Hook 
and Ladder Compan}', 
No. 3, was accepted the 
gih of March of the saine 
year, with the following 
charter members: R. L. 

Fox, Jay McDonald, C. E. Burns, W. H. Woodin, 
W. H. Jefferson, W. L. Brown, N. I. Ford, Fred. 
Wilcox, Samuel T. Brewer, Owen Philips, Milton 
Gurney, David J. Yager, D. H. Peaster, Will Hunt- 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



47 



ington, O. C. McCrum, A. C. Moody, M. Keenan, 
F. A. Bissell, W. D. Bissell, William Dietz, C. S. 
Carpenter, M. D. Tipple, T. J. Gildersleeve, B. H. 
Loring, R. Reynolds, E. M. Johnson, J. B. Fletcher, 
John Amsden, G. F. Bristol. W. W. Darbee, Leroy 
Pratt, M. Yager, W. H. Hider, J. H. Tucker. The 
officers were: Foreman, R. L. Fox; first assistant, A. 
C. Mood}'; second assistant, Jay McDonald; record- 
ing secretary, C. S. Carpenter; corresponding secre- 
tary, O. C. McCrum; treasurer, N. I. Ford. The 
name of this company was changed July 7th, 1S86, 
to the D. F. VVilber Hook and Ladder Company, 
No. I, in honor of D. F. Wilber, a member of the 
company and the present Congressman from this 
district, who presented the company with one of the 
finest parade trucks in this section of the State. 
The village now had one of the finest equipped fire 
departments in the State, but a very poor water sup- 
ply, consisting of a few small cisterns scattered 
throughout the village, some of which had done ser- 
vice for the first fire company away back in 1S47. 
In the year 1S83 this was changed by the completion 



James Reynolds ; trustees, A. Northrup, William 
Thornburn and Samuel Coon ; members, A. V. 
Price, C. L. Duell, Fred. Schwaninger, William 
Wiscomb, Thomas Lord, D. Tregurthie, Thomas 
Thornburn, |. Mitchell, George Parine, Frank Craft, 
T. B. Kimber, Thomas I'ansell, William Marshall, 
Jack Turner, R. C. Harding. George Tamsell, W. 
W. Daley, J. W. Soloway, E. Noud, W. L. Foot, 
O. F. Carson, R. R. Cross, J. R. Patterson, S. D. 
Finkle, S. Bach, George Underdown and W. 
H. Mosher. This company is finely equipped 
and has a fine hose house and parlors located in 
the Sixth ward, south of the railroad. 

On September 30th, 1895, the J. M. Milne Hose 
Company, No. 4, was organized and accepted b)' 
the Board of Trustees with the following officers 
and members: President, Fred. Whitman: vice- 
president, Byron W. Baker: foreman, Albert 
Haynes: first assistant, L. F. Haumer; second 
Assistant, E. R. Pierce; financial secretary, Hud- 
son Perry; recording secretary, A. F. Hamil- 
ton; treasurer, .Arthur Firman; steward, George 




scene; on the f.a.ir grounds, September 16, 1S96. 



of the Oneonta water works, giving a splendid 
sj'stem for fire service, and in October of that 
year the George I. Wilber Hose Company, 
No. 2, was organized from a large number 
of gentlemen who had been members of the 
old steamer company. L. H. Groat, W. H. 
Mereness, George T. Bugden, M. Siedes, John M. 
Watson, S. B. Todd, A. L. Jordan, S. J. Howe, H. 
E. Conant, Fred. E. Lowe, Wm. Huether, Chas. 
Paul, M. G. Connell, Geo. E. Woodworth, L. 
Richards, Jacob Huether, W. F. Rowland, John 
Elliott, H.' R. Gaylord, H. McCulley. George E. 
Bond, I. Bugbee. Chas. Holcomb, F. Fairchild, J. 
T. Demar and H. H. Mills were the charter mem- 
bers, and L. H. Groat, foreman ; L. Richards, first 
assistant : Geo. E. Woodworth, second assistant; 
G. T. Bugden, secretary, and M. G. Connell, 
treasurer, were the first officers. The company 
was equipped with a four-wheel Jumper, pur- 
chased from Crystal Hose Company, of Bing- 
hamton, and presented with an elegant parade car- 
riage by George I. Wilber. 

In Januar}', i88g. the Mechanic Hose Company, 
No. 3, were accepted bv the board of trustees with 
the following officers and members : Foreman, W. 
L. Hotaling ; first assistant, Frank Fairchilds : 
second assistant, C. W. McGurk ; secretary, J. R. 
Gerling ; president, J. W. Telford ; vice-president, 



Wohlleben. Members: Wm. Nash, James Park, 
Geo. Dildine, Malcomb Baxter, Leroy Clark, Wm. 
Chapman, Chas. Davis, Wm. Dimmick, J. Dugan, 
L. Dugan, Frank Edwards, B. Edwards, S. Ferns, 
Wm. Holloway, L. V. Holmes, H. P. Hotaling, C. 
S. Loveland. Fred Mason, M. Messenger, H. 
Mooney, John Naylor, F. C. Pattengil, Frank Ren- 
ford, Chas. Sincerbrant, John Speer, H. Stewart, W. 
Stewart, H. N. Terrell. This company is com- 
posed almost entirely of Normal students, is 
well equipped and finely drilled, and is a 
credit to the Department, and Oneonta has 
to-day one of the largest, best equipped and 
finest drilled fire departments of any town of her 
size in the State of New York, a perfect S3'stem of 
electric fire alarm, with boxes located in handy reach 
all over the corporation, an abundant water supply, 
and is prepared to battle with the elements no matter 
in what shape they come. The following named 
gentlemen have held the office of chief engineer: 
Jas. H. Keyes, 1876-77; A. C. Lewis, 1878; M. 
Gurney, 1879; -^- ^- Moody, 1880: W. H. Mereness, 
1881; J. O. Voorhees, 1882-83; O. H. Marshall, 
1SS4-85; Henry Bull, 1886-87: L. H. Groat, 1888; 
W. H. Wilson, i88g; M. Dempsey, 1890; George E, 
Moore, 1891; A. Shafer, 1892-93; James O'Brien, 
present chief. — L. H. Gro.\t. 



48 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



The Oneonta Building and Loan Association. 



The Remarkable Growth of a Substantial and Financially Sound Institu- 
tion — A Business in which Investments Yield Liberal Returns. 



The Oneonta Building and Loan Association is an 

inpoitant local enterprise established for the purpose 
of encouraging savings, industr}', economy in living 
and to provide a reasonablj- eas}' road b)' which the 
person with a moderate income may be enabled to 
provide for himself and family a home. It also af- 
fords the artisan, mechanic, professional and busi- 
ness man and laborer a comparatively safe means 
of investment out of which he may be insured an 
accumulation of wealth. The building and loan 
association is to-day a fixed enterprise in everj' town 
of an}' size, and the records of the local associations 
throughout this country show that in rare, if in any 
case, it fails to become a profitable and desirable 
means to the end for which it is established. The 
clearest explanation of its purpose is made in the 
statute (April lo, 1S51) and its amendments un- 
der which it is incorporated, viz.: * * * "for 
the purpose of accumulating a fund for the purchase 
of real estate, the erection of buildings, or the making 
of other improvements on lands or to pay off incum- 
brances thereon, and for the further purpose of 
accumulating a fund to be returned to its members 
who do not obtain advances " from the association, 
etc. It must be borne in mind that there is a great 
distinction between a local association and those 
which have sprung up in recent years calling them 
selves National associations. The former, such as 
that of which we are writing, places all investments 
at home directly under its own eyes, and where the 
attendant expenses, all told, are usually very light. 
Every member is a proprietor, in part, realizing a 
portion of the interest which he himself pays in for 
such loans as he may contract, and is in a position 
to know from dav to day the character of the busi- 
ness transacted and to have an eye on what course 
his investment takes. The onlj' salary paid is to the 
secretary, so it will be seen that there are no princely 
salaries to eat up the profits. Now, as to the char- 
acter of the business. An applicant is admitted 
to membership upon the purchase of stock, with 
the option of subscribing for from one to thirty shares 
and the payment of only one dollar fee on his 
total subscription. In other associations to which 
we have alluded he is required to pa}' a fee of one 
dollar for each share. The investments of the funds 
of the association are made upon unincumbered real 



estate, not to exceed two-thirds of its appraised value, 
secured with bond and mortgage, and also to mem- 
bers upon their stock; in the latter case no' to ex- 
ceed ninety per cent, of the amount paid in on stock. 
At any time a member can withdraw and take out all 
he has paid in with from 6 to 8A per cent, interest, 
according to the age of the stock. The member is 
not neccssaril}' a borrower, and if he should be, and 
at any time desires to cancel the loan, he has that 
privilege by giving thirty days notice, and is entitled 
to draw out all he has paid on the principal together 
with six percent, interest. 

The Oneonta Association was incorporated in 
April, 1888. At the first meeting, held for the trans 
action of business, on April 27, 18S8, the amount 
of paid-up capital was $750. During a little less 
than nine years, the time the association has been 
doing business, the total amount of capital paid in 
is about $200,000, a very flattering showing, es- 
pecially as it is in excess of that of any other incor- 
porated institution in town. In addition to that 
there has been paid back to members for stock can- 
celed $67,278.08. 

The net earnings of this association, as a result of 
the careful and strictly conscientious manner in 
which the business has been managed, have been 
eminently satisfactory, and compare very favorably 
with those of the most prosperous private business 
ventures. The dividends during the past year 
amounted to $10,517.73. 

It is a fact that building and loan associations 
weather panics much better than any other form of 
business ventures. The Oneonta Association has 
unquestionably been a very important factor in 
building up Oneonta, and it is a fact that it is recog- 
nized as a public institution. 

The books of the association are open for subscrip- 
tions at all times in the office of the secretary. The 
association does not employ agents, as it has been 
found that no solicitation has been necessary in or- 
der to keep alive special interest, and to keep up a 
maximum amount of business. 

The building and loan association offers to the in- 
dividual drawing a small salary the one notable 
means of investing small monthly savings. This has 
proven of great benefit to clerks and other em- 
ployes, who were never before offered a means of 
investing the small sums they were able to save 
as safely and with as good results. 

The OFFICERS. — The strength of an association 
consists no less in the character of the officers man- 
aging it than it does in the quality of its assets. 
How the Oneonta association is financiallv situated, 
the previous paragraphs have shown. The personal 
qualifications of the management will be equall}- 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



49 



well understood when we 
state that the president is 
Walter Scott, captain of the 
3rd Sep. Co., N. G. N. Y.,and 
a successful business man 
and capitalist. The vice- 
president is D. L. HECoxand 
the treasurer isT.W Stevens, 
both well-to-do merchants and 
owners of valuable real estate. 
The secretary is B. W. Hove, 
Esq., a lawyer of ability, who 
also has charge of the law de- 
partment of the association, 
and is the owner of much real 
estate in Oneonta. The re- 
maining directors are: Rich- 
ard Downes. a foreman in 
the large railroad shops in 
Oneonta ; Frank Avekv, a 
skilled machinist and a well- 
known railroad employe; S. H. 
Gardner, wholesale agent for 
the New York Biscuit comp- 
any, and also the owner of a 
large tract of Oneonta real es- 
tate; A. B. Foley, a capitalist 
and successful retired mer- 
chant ; M. L. Keves, cashier 
of the First National Bank 

of Oneonta, and Nathan H. Bru;(;s, senior 
member of the extensive contracting and building 
firm of Briggs & Miller. All of these men have 
been connected with the association since its or- 
ganization, and they are among its largest stock- 
holders ; all, moreover, are practically self-made 
men, having b}^ industry, perseverance and integrity 
won a high place in the regard of their associates, is 
a fact which establishes public confidence in any 
enterprise with which they are officially connected. 

The Oneonta Herald, the oldest newspaper pub- 
lished in Oneonta and the paper of largest circula- 
tion in the Twenty-first Congress district, was 
established in 1853 by L. P. Carpenter, the first 
issue appearing February gth of that year. Mr. 
Carpenter continued the owner until 1865, when the 
paper was sold to G. W. Reynolds, who transferred 





THE ONKOXTA SUPPLY CO'S STORE. 



\V. W. D.\RP.EE'S STATIONERY STORE. 



it in 1871 to C. S. Carpenter. Two years later E. 
M. Johnson and E. W. Capron became editors and 
proprietors, but in 1874 Mr. Capron disposed of his 
interest to his partner, who continued sole owner 
until 1882, when it passed inf^ the control of Wil- 
lard E. Yager and George W. Fairchild. In 1889 
Mr. Yager sold his interest to his partner, and the 
paper has continued to the present time under the 
sole ownership and editorial control of Mr. Fair- 
child. The /A'rrtA/ has always been the leading Re- 
publican newspaper in the Susquehanna valley, and 
though its fiftieth birthday looms in the not-far-dis- 
tant future, it has lost uone of its old time popularity 
or of its pristine vigor as an exponent of part}' prin- 
ciples and as an all-around local and family news- 
paper. Its circulation has increased from year to 
year, and even in times 
of unparalleled financial 
distress its numerous sub- 
scribers, by their fidelity, 
have testified to the hold 
it has upon their esteem. 
The Herald office, at 230 
Main street, besides being 
the largest and best equip- 
ped newspaper plant on 
the line of the D. and H., 
comprises also a job office 
which has few superiors 
even in the large cities. In 
it all kinds of job, book 
and fancy printing are done 
in a manner which has 
given it an enviable repu- 
tation far beyond the nat- 
ural boundaries of its bus- 
iness. In the management 
of the Herald Mr. Fair- 
child is assisted by Andrew 
B.Saxton, associate editor, 
and by Carr W. Peck, the 
efficient foreman, who has 
the reputation of being 
one of the best job prin- 
ters in the State. Both 
have been connected with 
the Herald in their present 
positions since i8Sg. 



50 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAI. SOUVENIR. 



Chapin Memorial, Universalist Church. — The 
First Universalist Society, of Oneonta, N. Y., was 
incorporated December 12, 1877. About this time 
Rev. L. F. Porter, of Morris, N. Y., was called to 
serve the society as its first pastor. The new society 
being without a church building, services were held 
in such halls or rooms as were available until some 
time in 1879, when its first house of worship was 
erected on the site occupied by its present beautiful 
brick edifice on Ford avenue. The first church 
was a small wood building, but sufficient to meet 
the then existing needs of the societ)'. It was dedi- 



christ, Mrs. P. C. Gilchrist, Mattie A. Price, Har- 
riet E. Barnes and Lydia Ann Burnside. Rev. Mr. 
White continued as pastor until April i, 1884. The 
names of the succeeding pastors are presented 
below, the figures being the dates of installation and 
dismissal respecttively : Rev. L. F. Porter, 1877- 
1881 ; Rev. H. K. White, 1S81-1884; Rev. B. Brun- 
ning, 18S4-1S85 ; Rev. E. T. Temple, 1885-1889 ; 
Rev. I. C. F. Grumbine, 18S9-I889 ; Rev. C. P. 
Hall, 1889-1890; Rev. W. T. Stowe, 1891-1892 ; 
Rev. E. F. Temple, 1892-1895 ; Rev. L. L. Greene, 
1896, Early in Mr. Temple's second pastorate it 




S. H. G.\RDNER. 
M. L. KEYES. B. W. HOYE. 

FRANK AVERY. 
NATHAN BRIGGS. WALTER SCOTT. 



A. B. TOBEY. 

RICHARD DOWNS. 
D. L. HECOX. 

T. W. STEVENS. 



cated near the close of the year 1897, Rev. Edwin 
Hubbel Chapin. D. D., of New York city, preaching 
the sermon of dedication. Rev. Mr. Porter resigned 
his pastorate April i, 1881, on which date the Rev. 
H. K. White was installed as his successor. 

On December 9th, 1881, the Chapin Memorial 
church was organized in connection with the society, 
Rev. Mr. White administering the rite of baptism, and 
Rev. E. F. Pembee extending the hand of fellow- 
ship of the church to the following persons : Ira D. 
Woolf, George D. Swart, Mrs. George D. Swart, 
Lillian A. Swart, Mrs. W. H. Morris, P. C. Gil- 



became evident that the church building was inade- 
quate to the needs of the society, and on July 24. 
1S93, a meeting was called for the purpose of 
considering the subject of building a new church, 
and a committee consisting of S. R. Barnes, William 
H. Morris and P. C. Gilchrist were appointed a 
building committee forobtaining plans and prosecut- 
ing the work of building the new church. Through 
the untiring effort of Pastor Temple and the com- 
mittee the old building was soon removed and the 
new one in process of construction on the old site. 
Services were for a time held in Merchant's Exchange 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



51 



hall. As the church neared completion, a meeting 
of the society was called for January 28, 1894, at 
which time a committee on dedication was appointed 
consisting of David Whipple, P. I. Bugbee. Mrs. 
W. H. Morris and Mrs. P. I. Bugbee. The dedica 
tion took place in April 4, 1894. Rev. J. K. Mason, 
D. D., preaching the sermon. The present condi- 
tion of the society with its beautiful and tasty church 
edifice is an indication of prosperity and a predic- 
tion of progress. It is in good financial standing. 
Its membership, though small, is continually increas- 
ing. A society numerically small is by no means 
indicative that it is an inferior or unimportant or- 
ganization. In objects of worthy charity this society 
stands second to none. The generosity of the in- 
dividual members of the society is in this respect 
otherwise noteworthy. 

Rev. L. Q. Greene, the present pastor of the 
Chapin Memorial Church, is a native of Roc- 
hester, Vt. He is a son of Milton and Aurora 
— Goodno — Greene, and was born sometime 
in the 19th century. He resided in his native 
town until he was ten years of age, when he 
removed, witii his parents, to Granville, Vt., 
where the family remained six years. During 
his boyhood days he attended the common 
schools where he resided. He then removed 
to Stockbridge, Vt., and attended the State 
Normal school at Randolph. He afterwards 
went to Canton N. Y., at which place he pur- 
sued a theological course of study at St. Law- 
rence University. He was graduated from 
that institution in June, 1879, and in the fol. 
lowing July assumed charge of the Univer- 
salist Church at Churchville, N. Y. He re- 
mained at that place till May, 1880, when he 
was called to Williarnstown, Vt. He was 
ordained as a clerg\-man at that place in June, 
1880. He preached at Williamstown and 
also filled the pastorate at Washington for 
nearly four years. January i, 1SS4, he went 
to Bath, Me. At the latter place he continued 
in the ministry until December i, 1887, when 
he was called to Springfield, Vt. He remained 
there until he was called to Wakefield, Mass., 
in May. 1889. There he continued his pasto- 
rate for six years and nine months, coming to 
Oneonta on Februar)' 1. 1896. 

Rev. Mr. Greene belongs to a large family. 
His father, Milton Greene, now resides in Ran- 
dolph, Vt., and his mother passed to the home above 
in July, i88o. Mr. Greene has five brothers and two 
sisters living. The)-^ are Rev. R A. Greene, pastor 
of Grace Universalist Church, in Lowell, Mass.; Dr. 
L. M. Greene and Dr. O. D. Greene, of Bethel. Vt.; 
Mr. O. R Greene, of Randolph, Vt. ; Mr. O. E. 
Greene, of Clen Cove, L. I.; Mrs. F. P. Tvvitchell, 
of Bethel, Vt.; and Mr. H. P. Chadwick, of Ran- 
do'ph, Vt. ; an older brother, Mr. R. E. Greene, 
died at Granville, Vt. . in 1883, at the age of 33 years. 

In .August, 1879, Mr, Greene married Miss Jennie 
E, Martin, of Salisbury. Vt. They were married at 
Gaysville, in that State. Rev. and Mrs. Greene 
have an only son. Ransom A. Greene. 

Albert H. Tipple, succeeded D. E. Hubbard in 
the business conducted in what is known as the Rac- 
quet store. No. 12 Chestnut street. May 16, 1894. 
Since then he has made many improvements, 
putting in a cash carrier system and electric lights. 



enlarging the conveniences for the accommoda- 
tion of his patrons and adding very largely 
to the stock, so that now the store contains one 
of the best selections of a large variety of that 
kind of useful and ornamental goods, making the 
Racquet store popular to all classes o( customers, not- 
ably all grades and patterns in stationer}', crockery, 
china, artists' supplies and notions. .As Mr. Tipple 
is a practical workman and designer in picture frames 
and has excepiionai facilities for that work, he makes 
it a specialty. The Racquet is an interesting place 
to visit, so much that is beautiful filling the shelves 
and covering the counters in such profusion as to 
create wonder where it all came from. Mr. Tipple 
. was born in Valatie, Columbia Co., N. Y., Decem- 
ber 3. 1S58. At sixteen years of age he began sell- 
ing goods on the road, which he followed for seven 
years. For three years he was at CoUifrsville, and 
in i338 he came to Oneonta, He married Libbie 




L. W. FERENIi.-iUGH. 

Nelson, of East Durham, Greene Co., N. Y., Decem- 
ber 25, 1878. He is a member of the Royal Arca- 
num. 

The Glenwood Cemetery Association was organ- 
ized on May 10, r886. The grounds comprise sixty 
acres, lying upon the northerly side of the valley, 
with an outlook of fifteen miles along the Susque- 
hanna valley either north or south. The incorpo- 
rators are : William McCruni, George Smart, D W. 
Ford. A. F. Wing, W. L. Brown, George Fairchild, 
W, .A, E, Tompkins, Reuben Reynolds. Henry 
Whitman, F. A. Norton, Hiram Brewer, James 
Stewart .Meetings are held the second Monday in 
May of each year to elect two trustees, the full 
board constituting six. The officers are : Trustees — 
Albert Morris, president ; George I. Wilber, vice- 
president : W. L. Brown, treasurer ; L. C. Gurney, 
secretary ; James Stewart and Reuben Reynolds. 



52 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




FORD & ROWH, STORK AND ELEVATOR. 

Burr Mattice, Justice of the Supreme Court of 
the Sixth Judicial District, bj' the appointinent of 
Gov. Morton on December 31, 1895, made to fill the 
vacancy caused by the election of the Hon. Ceolra 
E. Martin, as Judge of the Court of Appeals, was 
nominated to succeed himself at the Republican 
Judicial Convention in Binghamton in the fall of 
1896, and was afterward endorsed bj- the Democratic 
convention. Of course he was elected, without 
opposition, for the usual term, fourteen years, 
beginning January i, 1897. By a succession of 
personal triumphs, Judge Mattice had achieved a 
public prominence, and nf;xt to the highest eleva- 
tion as a jurist of this State before entering his 41st 
year. His promotion from private life to district 
attorney, then county judge, and, comparative!)', 
recently, to his present exalted station, was due 
more largely to a just recognition of his ability, his 
broad statesmanship and his high character in 
private life. At each successive step he was re- 
warded with signal success. In the position of 
district attorney, to which he was elected in the 
fall of 1889, his services were so highly estimated 
by voters of both parties, that upon receiving the 
nomination for county judge in 1893, he was 
elected to that position by one of the largest 
majorities eve r awarded to a candidate for county 
office in Otsego county. The Utica Herald {Oci. 
II, 1893) referred to him as follows: " His 
record as district attorney has seldom been 
equaled. Trying his cases alone and without ex- 
pense t(i ihe county for counsel, he convicted 
every defendant brought to the bar save only one." 
Many other papers spoke of him in equally high 
terms. As a district attorney he acted in all 
cases judiciously and conscientiously, and with 
such regnrd for public interests and justice, that 



the county was not burdened with the expense of 
fruitless and unjust prosecutions, and in no case 
was an indictment drawn by him set aside for being 
defective. 

The Oneoiila Herald, at the close of Judge Mat- 
tice's term, said : "The records show that during 
Mr. Mattice's administration the annual expense of 
the criminal department of the county has averaged 
about 12,000 below the average of the twelve preced- 
ing years." 

.4s count}' judge, which office he resigned to enter 
upon higher duties January i, 1896, he won that 
distinction for impartiality and dignity which recom- 
mended him to Gov. Morton for appointment as 
Supreme Court judge. He was a candidate for the 
Supreme Court bench in the fall of 1895, to fill the 
office created by the new Constitution in the Sixth 
Judicial district, and was defe ted in the convention 
by Judge Lyon. Judge Mattice was the son of a 
farmer, and was born in Jefferson, Schoharie county, 
Jul}' 10, 1856. At fifteen years of age he entered 
the public school at Oneonta. In 1879 he was ad- 
mitted to the bar. The Republicans of the county 
retained him as chairman of the county committee 
for several successive terms, and under his 
leadership the normal majority was more than 
doubled. He has served as corporation counsel. 
Judge Mattice is an active supporter of all public 
measures. He occupies a prominent place in the 
councils of the Masonic fraternity ; is a member of 
the Oneonta club, and has served in the Third Sepa- 
rate company of the National Guard, as private, as 
sergeant and as lieutenant. 

In 1880 he was married to Miss Charlotte Johnson, 
of Meredith. Delaware county- 

P. P. Cooper Encampment, No. 112, 1. 0. 0. F., was 
instituted June ig, 1889. The regular meetings are 
held every evening of the fourth Wednesday of 
each month, in the Wilber block. The officers are 
H. P., Geo. Riley; C. P.. George Chandler; S. W., 
C. M. Hollister; scribe, F. Olin: treasurer, E. R. 
Norton. 




THE WINDSOR|HOTEL. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



53 




Photo, by Smith. A. E. CEPERLEY'S RESIDENCE. 

The United Presbyterian Church. — This congre- 
gation worships in tlie neat brick church on Dietz 
street. It is the youngest societj' in Oneonta, yet 
during its brief life, it has made substantial progress 
and secured for itself a pleasant home. The need of a 
United Presbyterian Church in Oneonta had long 
been recognized by the Presbyterj-of Delaware, which 
has the oversight of the interests of United Presby- 
terianism in Otsego county. But beyond occasional 
preaching, nothing was done to secure a congregation 
until the spring of 1889. Rev. J. R. Frazier had 
been most active in promoting the interests of 
the denomination, and was appointed by the 
Presbyter}'^ a committee on organization. Elder 
C. M. Hendry was also on the committee. On 
the 5th of May, 1S89, Rev. Frazier met the people, 
preached from Romans 14: 10, and organized 
the congregation by receiving six persons as 
members. An election of elders was held, and 
Mr. Jas. Dougherty and Mr. Benjamin Tiffany 
were chosen to the office: at the same time Hon. 
H. D. Nelson, A. R. Gibbs, Esq., and Benjamin 
Tiffany were elected trustees. Although organ- 
ized for work, the little congregation was with- 
out a home and without a pastor. In September. 
1889, Rev. L. E. Hawk took charge of the field 
by appointment of the Presb3Mery. The society 
prospered under his care. Soon property was 
purchased on Dietz street. The building upon it 
was used as a place of meeting for several years. 
The erection of a church building was begun in 
1893. The difficulties to be overcome by so small 
a band of workers begat discouragements. Under 
the influence of these and other causes, the con- 
gregation was much troubled. Before the church 
building was completed, Rev. Hawk accepted 
a call to a large church in Omaha, Neb. The con- 
gregation, being left without a pastor, completed 
their church, and August, 1894, requested the 
appointment of Rev. R. L. Welch as pastor by 
the Presbj'tery, which was granted, and under his 
charge the work has gone forward. Growth has 



been substantial and rapid, perfect 
harmony has prevailed, and the 
spiritual life of the people has grown 
stronger. During the past two years 
the efficient membership has almost 
doubled. The church uses entirely 
the S)Stem of voluntary support. 
No assessment rates or sale of seats 
has ever been used; yet, during the 
past year, the contributions averaged 
a little less than $14.00 per member. 
The present officers of the church 
are: Elders: Jas. Dougherty, John 
McLaury, G. W. Laidlaw and Wm. 
j^ IH Wright. Trustees: J. P. Elliott. M. 
iB v58 D., treasurer; R. R. Mackey, Wm. 
.", "3 Wright, Samuel Nelson and Jas. 
Dougherty. The Sabbath-school is 
well manned and efficient. The high 
average attendance, about 70 per 
cent of enrollment, is a token of the 
interest and efficiency. The officers 
are: Superintendent, Dewhurst McLaury; assistant, 
John G. Wright; secretary and treasurer, Miss Anna 
Phyfe. The Ladies' Missionary Society, organized in 
i8gi, has been one of the most helpful of the church's 
auxiliaries. It provided the windows and the furnish- 
ings for the church. The officers are: President, 
Mrs. R. L. Welch; secretary. Mrs. G. W. Laidlaw; 
treasurer, Mrs. Albert Scramling. The Christian 
Endeavor Society numbers 31 members. These are 
all active, and are well trained and efficient in their 
work. By means of a committee, the society has 
charge of a junior society of 12 members. The 
officers: President. Miss Elizabeth Lawson; vice- 
president, Mrs. Wm. Hastings; secretary and treas- 
urer, Miss Mary Russell. With the aid of these 
organizations the United Presbyterian Church carries 
on her work with growing power. 

Susquehanna Lodge, No. 71, Brotherhood of Loco- 
motive Firemen, was organized May 8, i88i, with 
twenty-nine charter members. It has an efficient set 
of officers and ninety-five members, and is in good 
condition. Its regular meetings are held in I. O. O. F. 
Hal! the second and fourth Sundays of each month. 



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ON THE SUSQUEHANNA. 



54 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAIv SOUVENIR. 




J. i:. lloI.IiRKI-X'.E'S STOKK 

The Firm of Mills, Stone &Co., one of the largest 
dealers in coal in the Susquehanna valley, consists 
of Wm. M. Mills, F. W. Stone, S. C. Miller and 
Wm. M. Mills, Jr. The business was started on 
Julv r, 1886, by the first two named gentlemen under 
the name of Mills & Stone. The present copartner- 
ship was formed on July 8, i8g6. The office and 
3'ards are situated at the foot of Broad street, oppo- 
site the depot, where the firm has ample track 
facilities for loading their wagons and bins. The 
anthracite coal handled by this firm is from the 
D. & H. and the Berwynd-White mines. The prin- 
cipal soft coal is the Eureka. An important part of 
Mills, Stone & Co.'s business is butler, made in a 
large creamery in the town of Franklin. Delaware 
county, from the product of 300 Jersey cows. This 
butter, rated as No. i, finds a ready market at to]) 
figures. At the World's Fair in 
Chicago it was awarded a certificate 
for flavor, showing the credit of 97 
out of the possible 100 points. Mr. 
William M. Mills, the senior partner, 
is a practical butter maker, and he 
established the dairy business which 
has grown to the importance we 
have indicated. On a farm of Soo 
acres near the village of North 
Franklin is his home, and there he 
spends the most of his time devoting 
personal attention to the creamery. 
He was born inTyringham, Berkshire 
county, Mass., Sept. 15, 1828. The 
following spring his parents located 
on the Franklin farm, the owner- 
ship of which has remained with the 
family. He has served as justice of 
the peace in that town for sixteen 
)'ears, and as supervisor two years- 
On October 24, 1854, he man led 
Eunice, the daughter of Morton B. 
Emmons of Davenpor:, Delaware 



county. Their children are 
Mrs. F. H. Stone, Mrs. 
Dr. A. H. Brownell, Mrs. 
S. C. Miller and Wm. M. 
Mills, Jr., of Oneonta ; 
Morton L.Mills,of Oneida, 
and Mrs. E. A. Scott, of 
New York. F. H. Stone 
was born in Scranton, Pa , 
Oct. I. 1848. He was 
engaged in shipping milk 
from Nov. 15, 1869, to 
June I, 1873. He then 
took a two years' course 
\n the Franklin, Delaware 
county, literary institute, 
and returned to Scranton 
iniS75. In 1884 he entered 
the First National Bank in 
Oneonta, where he re- 
mained until he became 
one of the present firm. 
Samuel C. Miller was born 
in Springfield, Mo., June 
13, 1S69. For four years he was engaged in the drug 
business in Washington. He is a member of the 
Odd Fellows and Oneonta Club. William Mills, Jr., 
was born in Franklin June 11, 1865. He attended 
the Franklin literary institute, afterwards entering 
the employ of Mills & Stone as bookkeeper, where 
he remained until he became one of the firm. 

The Board of Health comprises the following: 
Supervisor Henry Bull, chairman ; D. J. Yager, G. 
L. Huntington, James B. Galen, B. W. Hoye, A. B. 
Tobey, O. W. Peck, M. D., health officer, and A. D. 
Hitchcock, clerk. The members draw pay only for 
actual service, and the health otficer draws a salarj' 
fixed by the board. During recent years the board 
has been very active in abating all forms of public 
nuisance and whatever proves to be a menace to good 
health. It ma}^ be said that the average good health 
of the community is largel}' due to the active and 
unremitting efforts of the board of health. 




MIIJ.S, STONK & CO , CO.\L 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAIv SOUVENIR. 



55 



The-Up-to-Date wholesale and retail grocery has 
in about a year developed into one of tlie largest 
retail houses in this part of the State. Its business 
has increased so steadily that it outstrips some of its 
older competitors. When Conant retired, on Nov. 
23, 1895. and the Oneonta Grocery Company took 
the business and swung out the legend: " The- Up- to 
Date Grocery, " the people observed that a spirit of 
progressiveness and hustle was inspiring the new 
house. The retail trade at once increased to such an 
extent that it was found necessary to obtain more 



ployed, until at the present lime the entire force 
consists of eight people, and four teams are required 
to deliver the goods. This fall one of the large 
stores in the new Niles building, on Broad street, was 
leased and to that place has been assigned the job- 
bing department. The company handling oil in car 
load lots, has leased a store-house standing on the 
switches in the D. & H. yards. Through these 
additions the Ui'-to-Date has gained ample room 
and can accommodate all who choose to trade there. 
Mr. W. F. Eggleston, the manager of this corn- 




Photo, by Smith. THE UNEUNTA GROCERY 

room, the company having in the meantime branched 
into jobbing. The store, located in the Central 
Hotel building, is one of the largest in town, com- 
prising a main floor 117x25 and a cellar enclosing a 
much larger space. The public found that the new 
concern was buying in jobbing lots and discounting 
its bills and that its patrons were getting the benefit. 
The result was that while every inch of room was 
taken up with strictly groceries, no mixed lines being 
carried, still larger quarters were needed. Every 
clerk that could be worked to an advantage was em- 



CO. AND ITS COURTEOUS STAFF. 
pany came to Oneonta with experience in the grocery 
business. He was born in Allegany, Cattarraugus 
county, Feb. 4, 1871, and at 12 years of age went 
into the store of B. H. Green, wholesale grocer, 
where he remained eight years. For five years he 
was general agent for the Dingman Soap Company, 
traveling through twenty-three States. In the Up- 
to-Date whicli he has made popular and widely 
known outside of Oneonta, there are employed Miss 
Helena Shields, bookkeeper, arid J. H. Potter, F. J. 
Campbell, S. B. Elliott, C. H. Walling, C. E. Ken- 
nedy and E. D Munson. 



56 



THE ONEONTA HISTORIC AI. SOUVENIR. 



Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. — "To live is 
not to live for one's self alone ; let us help one an- 
other." This was the sentiment that prompted a 
small number of railroad brakemen in Oneonta, 
N. Y., some thirteen years ago, to lay the founda- 
tion of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen ; the 
object of the organization being to advance their 
moral and intellectual interests ; to protect their 
families by a systematic benevolence ; and a desire 
at all times to bring about a fair understanding be- 
tween employer and employe. A few brakemen of 
the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company employed 
at Oneonta, N.Y., met Sept. 23, 1SS3, and organized 



tially understood when it is known that over 
$3,460,885 has been paid in claims. They publish 
the Trainmen's Journal, a monthly magazine of 120 
pages, consuming nearly six tons of paper each 
month, and requiring one hundred and twenty-five 
(125) U. S. mail sacks to carry them to their destina- 
tion. Railway managers have come to recognize in 
the brotherhood a school for the mental, moral and 
physical development of their men, and as fitting 
them for the great trust of life and property placed 
in their keeping. The local lodge consists of ninety 
members, and not only bears the distinction of being 
lodge No. I, but also the name of our esteemed 




Photos, by Smith. 

the first lodge of railroad brakemen. The order from 
this small beginning grew so that in the following 
year they assumed the enormous task of uniting into 
one order the brakemen of the United States and 
Canada, thus giving the organization national scope 
and importance. To-day there are over 500 lodges, 
with over 30,000 members, scattered all over the 
United States and Canada. Each member carries at 
his own option $400, $800 or |i2,ooo, any one, two, 
or all three amounts, which are payable to the mem- 
ber on his becoming totally incapacitated for rail- 
road work, or to his family on his death. The 
amount of good accomplished by this may be par- 



THE D. & H. R. R. SHOPS AND Y.\RDS. 



townsman, Daniel Hopkins, who is also for the 
L. A. to B. of R. T. The present corps of officers 
are : Master, F. L. Hathaway ; vice master, J. H. 
Steffen ; past master, H. S. Brown ; secretary, L. D. 
Slade ; financier, F. W. Miller ; chaplain, T. M. 
Earles ; conductor, J. Redmond ; outside guard, A. 
M. McKenney; inside guard, J. L. Card ; Journal 
agent, J. Volwider ; warden, J. C. Carr. 

S. G. Camp, a well-known horseman of this place, 
owns the largest livery outfit on the Susquehanna 
road, and the most important boarding and cab sta- 
bles. He went into the livery business at the latter 
place in the rear of the Union block seven years ago. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



57 




(;H0RGK I. WILBER'S RESIDENCE, FORD AVENUE 

In March, 1896, he bought the old Sitt's stand on 
Broad street, adapting that exclusively for the liv- 
ery business, by enlarging and improving the 
premises, so that now it is equal in conveniences 
and in equipment to any livery in the city of Bing- 
hamton. The Main street stables are used wholly 
to accommodate boarders and the rigs he used in 
the public cab line which he established three j'ears 
ago and which has proven a success. Upon taking 
possession of the Broad street stables he sold out 
the old rigs and put in a large number of new and 
modern vehicles. These included three and four 
seaters, surreys, barouches, coupes, light and heavy 
spring and platform wagons, not forgetting to men- 
tion a four-horse tally-ho which is quite popular for 
large parties during the summer season and the best 
outfit of conveyances for funeral purposes. The 
latter includes two large hearses, one of which 
cost $1,400, and a white hearse, the coupe for the 
minister and the three-seater for the bearers. The 
livery comprises 28 horses, 40 sets of new harness, 
40 light and iS heavy wagons, 
with a large line of sleighs. Mr. 
Camp is the owner of Maud 
Adair, who was generally the 
winner the past year, and two 
other trotters. 

Walter L. Brown, State Sena- 
tor, was elected for the long term 
of three years, provided under 
the new Constitution of the State, 
taking his seat from the Thirty- 
third Senatorial district, which 
comprises the counties of Otsego 
and Herkimer, on Januar)^ i. 
1896. Prepared by his legislative 
experience of five years in the 
Assembly, he assumed his duties 
as member of the higher house 
with the ease and readiness of a 
tried legislator. The Senator was 
a working member in its best 
sense. He was alwa)s found Photo by Smith 



in his seat during the sessions, getting at 
his mail long before the house was called 
to order, and attending to the demands 
upon his time by his constituents, who 
had business of some nature calling them 
to Albany. The Senator is chairman of the 
miscellaneous corporations committee and 
a member of finance, and internal affairs of 
towns and counties. The result of his first 
winter in the Senate is measured not alone 
by the bills he introduced but by the efforts 
he put forth in aid of the party measures, 
which called forth the most untiring and 
loyal support of ever}' member of the 
majority. Although he was faithful to the 
interests of his party, for which he has 
spent much time and money in years past, 
still he preserved that independence of per- 
sonal action which every faithful legislator 
recognizes as the basis of a clean and 
proud record. His success in business 
nspired him with that confidence which 
aids any one in maintaining what he believes to 
be right. At home he is regarded as the promoter 
and most active supporter of all matters tending to 
public improvement. He is interested in all local 
organizations, a contributor to everything that any 
body of his fellow citizens endorse, and a giver of 
many private charities. He has been in business 
there since September i, 1872, when he left a profita- 
ble clerkship with L. h'ruyn & Son of Albany, where 
he had been since 1868, the time he left his father's 
home. He was one of the projectors, and is now 
the president, of the Central New York Agricultural 
Societ3\ He has been practically the main stay of 
that organization, ana it is in a large measure due to 
his personal means that it has succeeded. 

Mr. Brown was born in Carlisle, Schoharie county. 
September 5, 1846, and was educated in the common 
schools, supplemented with active business life. 
Since 1878 he has been very active in politics. He 
served as supervisor for seven years, occupying the 



has 




COLBURN BROS. FURNISHING STORE. 



58 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



most important places on the committees. In 1888 
he was elected to the Assembly, and also served in 
1889, '91, '92 and '93. The first four years he repre- 
sented the Second Otsego district. The last year 
the county had but one member. The first two 
)'ears he served on the appropriations committee. 
Taking a deep interest in all public matters, he en- 
listed in what w.is at that time the Thirty-third sep- 
arate company, and served his time of enlistment. 
He has been a member of the Normal school local 
board, the fire department, and one of the trustees 
of the village, of which he has also been president 
several years. He built up a large hardware, plumb- 
ing and heating business, and during the past year 
took in a partner, the firm now being Brown & 
Ward. 

Nathaniel Niles Bull was born Feb. 28, 1823, at 
Broome, Schoharie count}', N- Y. His mother was 
a daughter of Nathaniel Niles, one of the early settlers 
of the town of Oneonta, and whose name he bears. 
His early years were spent on his father's farm, and 
his early education such as the district schools of the 
time and place afforded. He has a grateful recol- 
lection of one of his earl}' schoolmates, Frederic 



He afterwards went west and taught in the city 
schools in Oskaloosa, Iowa. In i860 he returned 
from the west and taught for a time in Burlington, 
N.J. He was again in Oneonta as teacher, in 1863, 
1804 and 1865. He was connected with Lowell's 
Commercial College in Binghamton for some years, 
most of the time as principal teacher. In 1870 he 
was offered, and accepted, the principalship of 
the Oneonta Union School, which had then been 
established two j'ears. He held the position as 
principal until about 1888, when the office of Super- 
intendent was created. This he was chosen to fill, and 
held the same until the close of the school year 1895, 
when he retired. His school work, with some inter- 
missions, extends from 1838 to 1895. He is now a 
resident of Oneonta and still maintains an active 
interest in whatever concerns the prosperity of the 
village of his adoption, and of the affairs of the day, 
political and otherwise. 

The Oneonta Wheel Club was organized in 1893 
with about fifty members, George B. Baird being the 
first president. The following year the club leased 
grounds for five years, dating from April i, 1894, 
and built a quarter-mile bicycle track, at a cost of 




Photo, by Young. JWILRER'S T.AKH, THR SOURCK 

Stewart, at the time a somewhat elderly man, who 
owned a small farm and devoted his winters to 
teaching: he was a born teacher and had a wonder- 
ful influence over his pupils. From him the subject 
of this sketch claims to have received the impulse 
which was the basis of whatever success he may 
have since achieved, He was afterward a student 
in the Nine Partners (Friends) boarding school, in 
Dutchess county, at that time an institution of some 
note, since removed to Union Springs, Cayuga 
count)'; and after that, at Delaware Literary Insti- 
tute, Franklin, N. Y. His first venture in teaching 
was in the winter of 1838, and 1839, in Schoharie 
county; the next, as assistant teacher in the Friends' 
boarding school; after that he taught in district 
and village schools. He taught at Laurens in 1844, 
in Oneonta in 1848. In the Spring of 1848 he was 
agreeably surprised to receive from the office of 
Public Instruction a State certificate, dated Feb. 7, 
1847, and signed by N. S. Benton, Secretary of Slate. 
This was the more gratefully received from the fact 
that it had been issued without his solicitation or 
knowledge, more than a year before it was received. 



OF ONEON'IW'S W.\THK SfPl'LY. 

$1,500 for fencing and grading. At the opening of 
the track Johnson, Bald, Sanger, Tyler and about 
twenty-five other crack class-B men, in fact, all 
the prominent riders of the country, were in the 
races, besides about forty of the local class-A men. 
During the same year Jenny, of Utica, made the 
world's one-half mile unpaced record in i minute, 
2 seconds, on this track. The track is beautifully 
situated, a grove of pines on the north-west side 
shading the grand stand and home stretch. While 
the track has not developed any phenomenally fast 
riders, it has been a pleasant place to learn to scorch 
and to take a spin when the roads are not in good 
condition, the surface being well drained and hard. 
It has, no doubt, done much to add to the popu- 
larit)' of the pleasant and exhilaraiing exercise of 
bicycle riding. 

The Bachelors' Club, a well known young men's 
society, was organized January 28, 1894. The charter 
members were : Clarence A. MarMinny, Harry J. 
Baker, John L. Fletcher, George W. Norton, Elmer 
B. Langdon and Charles J. Beams. The first place 
of meeting was in the Reynold's block, but as the 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



59 




HAYKS ^: BOWDlSll, CU'.AR lACToRV. 

club increased in number it removed to the G. A. R 
rooms, and finall}' to the I. O. O. F. Hall, the 
present place of meeting. This club was formed 
chiefl}' for the purpose of literar)^ work, and along 
this line it has become noted. It has also been pop- 
ular socially, having given many entertainments and 
receptions to its friends, besides closing two of its 
seasons with highly successful banquets. The 
Bachelors' Club has an active membership of 
twenty-five, and during the three years of its ex- 
istence has done inuch for its members. In begin- 
ning this, the fourth season, it is the wish of its 
many friends that the high standard maintained in 
the past may be the guide for the future usefulness 
and popularity of this organization. 

Hon. Abraham L. Kellogg was born at Treadwell, 
Delaware county, N. Y., May i. i860, at which 
place his father and mother, Marvin Douglas and 
Hannah Kellogg, were residents for more than half a 
centur}'. On his father's side he is of Puritan an- 
cestry. His mother was descended from the ancient 
and well-known Schermerhorn family of Schodack. 
Rensselaer county, N. Y. Mr. Kellogg was edu- 
cated in the common schools and at the Delaware 
Literary Institute at Franklin, N. Y. He began the 
study of law with the well-known lawyer. L. L. 
Bundy. at Oneonta, N. Y.. August 26, 1S81, and 
was admitted to the bar in November, 1S83, at 
Albany, N.Y., entering at once upon a practice which 
has been lucrative. His offices in the First National 
Bank building are among the finest in the county. 
In 1883 he was elected corporation clerk, and in 
1884 was elected clerk of the board of supervisors of 
Otsego county by acclamation. During the years 
1S84-5. he was a clerk in the New York State Senate. 
He served eight years in the State National Guard 
and five years in the Oneonta Fire Department. At 
the present time he belongs to the Veteran Fire- 
men's Association of Oneonta, is a member of One- 



onta Lodge, No. 466, F. & A. M., of Oneonta Chap- 
ter No. 277, R. A. M., and of the Oneonta Club. 
Mr. Kellogg was one of the active and prominent 
organizers of the Otsego County Firemen's Associa- 
tion, and was selected as its first State representative. 
During the last two years he has been a member of 
the law committee and participates actively in all 
that pertains to the welfare of the association. He 
is also an honorary and life member. In politics, 
always a Republican, he has done active and zealous 
work for his party, and has also attended many of 
its conventions, both county and Slate. At the gene- 
ral election in 1S93, he was chosen to represent the 
Twentv-third New York senatorial district in the 
State constitutional convention which convened in 
the city of Albany, May 8, 1S94, for the purpose of 
revising the Constitution of the State. He served in 
that body on the important committees of State 
finances and taxation anu taxation and charities and 
charitable institutions, and took an active part in its 
debates and proceedings, his speech on sufTrage 
calling forth much favorable comment. He is fre- 
quently called upon for orations and addresses, 
which fact has given him a wide acquaintanceship. 
Mr. Kellogg is a constant student of history and of 
public afTairs, and his name has already been men- 
tioned in connection with other public positions, 
should he choose to again enter the field of politics. 
Besides a splendid law library ,he has a large and 
well-selected private library in which he takes much 
pride. He was married to Miss May Blakeslee 
Lewis of Otsego, N. Y., June 21, 1893. They have 
one child, Lincoln Lewis, born September 23, 1894, 
and reside on Ford avenue, where he owns a fine 
residence. 

Mrs. Olive G. Richmond, wife of one of the pro- 
prietors of the Windsor, and the owner of that prop- 
erty, was born in New Lisbon, Otsego county, where 
her father, Clark Gardner, was for many years a 
farmer. During the life of her first husband she was 
actively engaged in hotel management, showing her 
business capacity and tact by successfully conduct- 
ing a house in Albany for eight years, by the means 
of which she acquired much of the properly she now 
possesses. 




KLI RO.SE. 

St. Mary's Church (Roman Catholic), on the 
corner of Main and Grand streets. This was the first 
Catholic church built in Oneonta. The cornerstone 
was laid October 5, 1884. Rev. James H. Maney 
was its first pastor. This is a prosperous church, 
and has a membership of 500 communicants. The 
present pastor is Rev. D. E. Murphy, and the trus- 
teees Jeremiah Whaleyand Charles Morrison. 



6o 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




CHARI^ES SMITH. 



THOMAS DOYLE. 



Doyle & Smith are among the largest cigar manu- 
facturers in the State. The firm was organized 
March 2, 1885. Some idea of the amount of busi- 
ness transacted by this firm is obtained from the 
fact that its output is six millions of cigars a year, 
and that during the most ordinary season it employs 
at least' one hundred and twenty-five people. 
Through this single channel the monej' that is 
placed in circulation in this town is of great import- 
ance. The trade is extended over a large scope of 
country. The members of the firm are public 
spirited, and have shown in many ways practical 
earnestness in their devotion to the welfare of the 
town. They have constructed a large, substantial 
and imposing factory building on Broad street and a 
handsome brick business block on Main street. 
Their homes are large, pretty residences. They be- 
gan business in the second story of the E. R. Ford 
block. Two years later their business had out- 
grown its modest quarters and they leased four 
floors in the Westcott block. In 1889, finding that 
trade was still crowding them for 
more room, they built their pres- 
ent factory. It comprises four 
floors and a basement, with a 
width of twenty-five feet and a 
depth of sevent)'^ feet. The base- 
ment is used for the storage of 
leaf tobacco. On the first floor 
are commodious offices and a 
large shipping room. The three 
upper floors were devoted to 
manufacturing, but finding that 
amount of room inadequate, three 
years ago they had erected au 
additional three-story building 40 
X70, on Mechanic street. Uniting 
the two buildings vvith,a connect- 
ing way in the rear, they have 
one large factory with six floors, 
constructed with the special 



purpose for which it is used and aflbrding conve- 
niences not excelled b}' any factory in the State. 
This firm advertises very largely, and its goods 
wherever introduced are recognized as leaders, 
notably the " Headlight " and the "Main Line," 
which have a wide reputation. They have lately in- 
troduced a new brand which bids fair to become 
just as popular, the " On Top. ' Thomas Doyle 
was born in Norwich, October 11, 1855, and 
removed to Oneonta in September, 1S75, he is 
a practical cigar maker, having had charge of large 
shops up to the time of the organization of the 
firm. He is a member of the Oneouta Club, and of 
the Veteran Firemen's Association, and was one of 
the organizers of the Lewis Hose Company. He 
married Sarah A. Naughton, of Norwich, on April 
24, I875. Charles Smith was born in Albany, 
i'ugust 6, 1S55, and moved to Oneonta in 
October, 1872, where he was employed in the 
car shops. Two years later he started the retail 
tobacco business which he conducted until the for- 
mation of the present firm. He married Miss 
Charlotte T., the daughter of Wm. D. Bissell. of 
Oneonta, on June 7, 1879. He is the Master of the 
Oneonta Lodge, No. 466, F. & A. M.. and a 
member of the Oneonta Chapter and the Malta 
C'ommanilery; also, a member of the Little Falls 
Lodge of Elks, the Centennial Lodge I. O. O. F., and 
is one of the board of Governors of the Oneonta 
Club. He was one of the organizers and was an active 
member of the Lewis Hose Company for fourteen 
years; also, one of the board of trustees of the 
Oneonta Hospital. 

The Rev. John Evans Bold, the present rector of 
St. James' church, was born in Beaufort, South 
Carolina in ante-bellum times. Having moved to 
Charleston a short time before the close of the war, 
he was prepared for college in that city at " The 
Holy Communion Church Institute," now known as 
the " Porter Academy." Here he took the gold 
medal, the highest prize for general scholarship in 
the classical department for three successive years ; 
and, as a member of the vested choir, and a lay 
reader, was the rector's assistant in rendering the ser- 
vices of the church. In 1874 he entered Union 
College, Schenectady, N. Y., and was graduated in 
the class of "78. At Union Mr. Bold organized the 
'■ Union College musical association," and was its 




THOMAS DOYLE'S RESIDENCE. 



CHARLES SMITHS RESIDENCE. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



6i 



director until his graduation. He also gave much 
time to military tactics, and athletics, was a member 
of tlie University boat crew, and captain of company 
A. of the college cadets. In Sept. "79 he entered 
the General Theological Seminary, New York city, 
and was graduated in the class of "82. During these 
three years he had the advantage of working in Old 
Trinity Church, as a teacher in the Sunday school, 
a member of the choir, and a visitor among the west 
side poor. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Doane 
in all Saint's Cathedral, Albany, June ist, '82, and was 
advanced to the priesthood by the same bishop, 
in the Church of the Cross, Ticonderoga, N. Y., 
May 18. 1SS3. On Sunday. July 2d, '82, .he became 
rector of the Church of the Cross, Ticonderoga, 
where by his untiring efforts a new and beautiful 
church was built to take the place of one destroyed 
by fire, and new life was infuseri into every de]:)art- 



were left in Johnstown as an indication of some of 
the activities of a three years' rectorship. At One- 
onta Mr Bold found an enthusiastic and growing 
parish which attested its zeal by proceeding at once 
with the building of the rectory, and again, the next 
year, by the purchase of a suitable pipe organ to 
complete the equipment of the church, and to-day 
the indications of this continued prosperity are evi- 
dent in the well-filled church, the faithfulness of 
communicants, and the readiness of parishioners, 
generally, to lend a hand in every good work. 

Laurens & Rowe, jobbers and wholesalers of 
crockery and notions, succeeds the firm of C. K. 
Lauren & Son. to the business which was estab- 
lished by C. K. Lauren in 1S56. The members of 
the present firm are C. K. Lauren, B. C. Lauren and 
H. S. Rowe. The change in the firm dates January 
I, 1887. For ten years the business was the retail 




DOYLE & SMITH'S CIGAR F.\CTORY, BROAD AND MECHANIC STS. 



ment of church work. In the early part of '87 he 
accepted a call to be as'^istant in St. James' Church, 
Buffalo, N. Y., and in August of the same year 
was elected to the rectorship of that parish on the 
resignation of the Rev. Chas. H. Smith. In Septem- 
ber '89, being asked by the Bishop of Pittsburg to 
take charge of the re-establishment of the Episcopal 
Church work at Johnstown, Penn., Mr, Bold deci- 
ded, after serious deliberation, to undertake the try- 
ing task, and entered upon his duties there Novem- 
ber 1st, 1889. Besides the regular work of caring 
for the spiritual and bodil}' needs of an afflicted and 
scattered people, there was the grading of lots, and 
the erection of buildings to look after, and when on 
November 1st, '92, a call to St. James', Oneonta, 
was accepted, two churches and a rectory, represent- 
ing the expenditure of over^fifty thousand dollars, 



of groceries, crockery, lamps, vases and all styles of 
plain and fancy earthen and china ware. With the 
addition of Mr. Rowe, who resigns a profitable 
clerkship in M. Gurney & Sons to enter the firm, 
the scope of its retail trade will not onl)' be consid- 
erably enlarged, but its wholesale business in 
crockery and notions will become one of the most 
important in this section of the State. Mr. C. K. 
Lauren was born in Roxbury, Delaware county, N. 
Y.. June 8, 1837. Nine years ago he came to One- 
onta and bought out Fletcher & Murdock. He 
married Martha Fletcher, of Oneonta, April 28, 
1892. B. C. Lauren was born in Kortright, Dela- 
ware county, June 8, 1869. For two years he was a 
clerk with Ford & Rowe. He married Grace Rowe 
October 3, 1894. H. Spencer Rowe was with M. 
Gurney & Sons four years. In 1894 he was gradu- 
ated from the Oneonta Normal school. Mr. Rowe 
will do most of the selling for the house on the road. 



62 



THE OMRONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



"Grip's" Valley Gazette 



Vol. IV, No. 12. 
"Grip,' 



Albany, N. Y., Dec, iSg6. 12 Nos. Si. 

Publisher, Office 403 Clintou Ave. 



Copyrighted, 1896, by "Grip." 

A [Monthly Gazette of social Events and .\fFairs in Gen- 
eral in the Empire State. 

Biographical and Historical l>lonthly, the only magazine 
of this nature in print. Sketches and Portraits of the tread- 
ing Characters in Daily lAfe. A valuable publication for 
reference. 

A Local Hotel Record and Guide with more than two 
hundred of the Best Hotels on the list. 



Publisher and Designer of Mementos, Souvenirs, Favors. 
Menus; Designs for Advertising Purposes for all kinds of 
Business; Summer Resort and Hotel Stationery of New and 
Unique Designs; Everything in plate and paper that is new 
and rich, and where beauty is not sacrificed for economy. 



Rev. N. M. Hall's article on Oneonta on page 
28 is a briefly, pithy summary of what Oneonta is 
to-day. 

Thk History of the fire department on page 45 
represents more wearisome search of statistics than 
one would suppose. It is the first compilation of 
important facts. 

Thic Ndrmal School sketch is a valuable sum- 
marization of the beginning and the growth of that 
important institution. It is especially valuable as 
presenting historical data never before compiled in. 
print. 

The Photos from which the portraits in this Soi'- 
VENIR are made are the work of Messrs. Young, Van 
Woert and Curtis. The former made most of the 
negatives for the group of the Third Separate Com- 
pany, and Curtis made the rest. Mr. Van Woert 
assumed no small task in photographing the firemen 
for the two large groups shown elsewhere. It is to 
the patience, skill and experience of the photogra- 
phers of Oneonta that the excellent results of some 
of the best features of this work are due, and in 
years to come the pages of the Souvenir oe Oneont.v 
will bear witness to their enterprise and ability in a 
monument more durable and attractive than were 
the summary of their virtues graven in stone. 

The Splendid Views of town and country, build- 
ings and stores shown in these pages are the work 
of an artist, a young man who, while attending the 
Normal school, divides his ;afternoon and evening 
hours for study and for photographing views by 
which he may acquire means to obtain an education. 
Howarrl N. Smith, a sketch of whom appears in 
another column, is, at the age of twenty-seven years, 
a master of the profession he has chosen. That is 
to say, he possesses that natural ability which is 
rare, lacking only the experience which many older 
view photographers have acquired without possess- 
ing the accomplishment. Many of the views were 
made in unfavorable weather, and we defy any artist 
to compare results under the same conditions. The 
negatives represent many hours of patient and per- 
sistent labor, and as a collection of local views they 
are worth a good many dollars to any one who is 
especially intexested in the town. The Masterpiece 
is the bird's-eye view taken from the hill above Clin- 



ton street. This was a difficult undertaking and 3 
pronounced success. Four plates were exposed to 
take in an extent visible to the eye of about five 
miles. The prints were joined to complete the 
single view. Most bird's-eye views are made in 
drawings. This shows the town very clearly as it is 
to-da3^ Mr. Smith should realize a large sale of 
these prints. In conclusion we desire to acknowl- 
edge ourselves greatly indebted to him. 

Howard Nathan Smith was born January iS, 1873. 
in Middlefield, Otsego county, N. Y. He was grad. 
uated from the Cobleskill High school, class of '93. 
at which time he received the Reed Hogan gold 
medal for the best oration, (^ame to Oneonta in 
July of same year and entered the emplo}' of R. P. 
Young, remaining with him three years. In July. 
1896, started in the viewing branch of photography, 
which he carries on while pursuing studies in the 
Normal. Has been superintendent of First Baptist 
Sunday school for two years; president of Town S. 
S. Association; one of the assistant editors of the 
Oneo)ita)i\ one of the instructors in Y. M. C. A. 
evening classes, and is much interested in the Y. '> . 
C. A. work. Has a complete e([uipnient for making 
views of every description. 

H. B. Gildersleeve, druggist in the Ford & Ford 
building. No. 145 Main street, carries a very large 
line of drugs — equal to that of many stores in more 
pretentious towns. Having ample room for the dis- 
play' of goods he presents to the public an attractive 
store, showing very good taste in the interior arrange- 
ments. It is complete in every line he handles, and 
does him and hisassistantsgreat credit. Everything 
is modern and new in style. He has a large stock 
of toilet articles, domestic and imported perfumes, 
and numerous other things usually sold b}' large 
retail druggists. The store is high and spacious and 
handsomely finished. In 'he rear is a department 
for the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations, 
which is an important part of his business. He has 
a large and cosy private olTice. This is a popular 
place for hot and cold beverages, which has become 
an indispc-iisiiMe .■iniu-\ to the drug business. The 




OTSEGO COUNTY SCENERY. 

summer drinks are drawn from a very pretty onyx 
fountain, having a superstructure with beveled mir- 
rors framed in white and gold. The hot draughts 
come from a tile fountain which is a beauty, some- 
thing entirely new. Mr. Gildersleeve was for seven 
years with E. R. Ford. He started in business for 
himself at No. 146 Main street, on November 23, 
1895, and moved into his present quarters on April 
I, 1896. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



63 




ONEOXTA KXlTTINtV MILL- 

The Oneonta Knitting Mill is located at 82 West 
Broadwaj', occupying one-half acre of land between 
that street and the D. & H. R. R. This important 
industry produces ladies', men's and misses' hosiery 
in plain and fancy assortments, fast black and leather 
shades being at present the prevailing fashion. The 
mills do not spin any yarn, but knit and dye all 
their production. The business was started in 
October, 1881, in Kensington, the great manufactur- 
ing district of Philadelphia, by Messrs. Scatchard & 
Eddishaw, trading as E. E. Scatchard & Co. In 
March. rSSg, their business was moved to Oneonta, 
Mr. J. F. Burton becoming associated with them 
at this time. In July, 1891, Mr. .Scatchard, the 
present proprietor, bought out the interests of 
Messrs. Eddishaw tS: Burton, and continued the 
business alone, Mr. Burton remaining with the 
mills as salesman, Mr. Thomas Osborn, the pres- 
ent eflicient superintendent, taking charL'e of the 
mills at this time. The business increased until in 
1892 it produced over eighty thousand dozen pair of 
hosiery, employing between eighty and one hundred 
operatives. Mr. Scatchard is a grandson of Joseph 
Scatchard, who emigrated from Yorkshire, England, 
in 1842, and in 1850 began the manufacture of woolen 
yarn in the vicinity of Philadelphia. The business 
is still continued by the father and two uncles of 
Mr. E. E. Scatchard, and is probably the largest 
concern in the coiintrv which is to-da}' spinning 
woolen yarn for the trade. Mr. Scatchard was born 
in East Coventry, Chester county, Penns3'lvania, on 
May 27. 1S61. In 1883 he married Miss Fannie L. 
Harmer of Germantown. He is a member of the 
following ilasonic lodges : Oneonta Lodge and 
Chapter, Philadelphia Commandery, Lulu Temple, 
A. A. O. N. M. S., and Albany Consistory. He is 
a past high priest of Ciermantown Chapter, Penn 
s\'lvania, and a past chancellor of Banner Lodge. 
K. of P. 

On October I3lh. i8q6. Mrs. Scatchard was 
granted a patent for an entireh- new article of clothing. 



A sleeping sack for infants and 
small children. This article is 
designed to prevent children from 
kicking off the bed covering at night, 
a thing which every mother of a 
child from three months to seven 
3'ears old will readily appreciate. 
This consists of a bag made with a 
flap continuing from the back part 
of the bag, with an opening for the 
neck of the infant, and the flap being 
drawn over, leaves room for the arms 
to protude through the sides. The 
article had been in use for several 
years prior to taking out the patent, 
and it fully answers the purposes 
for which it is intended. All phys- 
icians who have seen it pronounced 
it to be useful, convenient and 
healthy. And any person, after 
having used one, will be surprised: 
that such a simple and convenient 
article has not been in common use before this time. 
The sack is made with cotton batting inside, quilted 
or mattressed, and reall)' makes a desirable bed cov- 
ering for the child which kicks off ordinary bed 
clothing. The cut* shows the sack with the flap up, 
and also one enclosing a child. It is the intention 
of Mr. Scatchard to manufacture these sacks in con- 
junction with his other business at the knitting mills. 
Beside going to the trade, he will probably employ- 
several lady agents to canvass. Any orders senti 
direct to the miUs will receive prompt attention. 

* See cut on another page. 




ON THE OULEOUT. 



64 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



M. Gurney & Sons succeeded lo the large and 
prosperous business in dr)' goods, cloaks, carpets 
and draperies, which was established in 1873 by the 
late Milton Gurney and A. B. Tobey. In 1882. 
Everett J., the oldest son of Mr. Gurney was ad- 
mitted to a partnership in the business, and the 
firm was then known as Tobey &: Gurney. In Au- 
gust, 1S94, Louis C, the second son, also became a 
partner, and Mr. Tobey retired. 




THH 1). cV H. R. R. STATION. 

Monday, July 6, 1S96, Mr. Milton Gurney died of 
heart disease at his home on Main street, closing a 
prosperous and honorable business career of forty 
years in this county. Inspired with the conscien- 
tious convictions which guided their lamented father 
in a thoughtful, intelligent and strictly scrupulous 
course of dealings, the sons assumed the entire pro- 
prietorship of the business which they are now con- 
ducting, and which they have, since their father's 
death, greatly enlarged — a business which stands 
upon the same broad basis upon which it has rested 
for nearly a quarter of a century. 

The store, located at No. 161 Main street, is the 
largest in the county, having a floor space of a quar- 
ter of an acre. It comprises the general goods de- 
partment occupyina the main floor and basement, 
the cloak, curtain and drapery annex on two floors, 
and the carpet and rug floor occupying the , — __ 
entire second story. The third floor is used as | 
a stock room and for making up carpets. The 
store is fitted with the cash carrier system, and 
is throughout modern in every respect. The 
rooms are higli and well lighted, and the ar- 
rangement of goods afTord the shopper tlie 
best facilities for selecting whatever may be 
desired. The stock includes all that is found 
in the best regulated stores in many larger 
towns The secret of the increasing popu- 
larity of M. Gurney & Sons is in the good 
taste and calculation shown, and the ample 
capital commanded bv the buyer, reinforced 
with skill and good judgment, and the court- 
eous attention shown customers on the part of 
the clerks. Every step taken along the in- 
terior of the store presents a display of the 
freshest and most attractive lines of the newest 
goods. It was not many years ago that a 
store embracing such a line of goods would 
have been deemed impracticable, if not a 
losing venture in a town so far inland as that 
of Oneonta. 



Mr. Everett J. Gurney was born in Laurens, 
September 2, 1858, and obtained experience in the 
business as a clerk for his father. He is a member 
of the Oneonta lodge and chapter of Masons, and 
first vice-president in the Oneonta Club. Mr. Lewis 
C. Gurne}' was born in Laurens, December 5, 1864. 
He is well advanced in the order of masonry, and is 
a member of the Oneonta Club. 

J. E. Holdredge, the merchant tailor who has 
built up a profitable trade which is now conducted 
at No. 236 Main street, the Herald Block, began 
business in 1880, in the McCrum Block, where the 
Butterfield store is now located. Nine years later 
he bought the business in his present store, which 
afforded him more commodious quarters, enabling 
hull to carry a more extensive line of goods, and to 
cater to the best trade in this section. His custom 
work is of the very best, and has grown to such pro- 
portions as to require the work of from twelve to 
fourteen hands during the busy season, turning out 
the finest line of work. Dealing fairly and squarely 
with all, he has secured the confidence and the pa- 
tronage of the most desirable class of customers. 
Mr. Holdredge is a practical cutter and tailor, whose 
experience dates from 1869, when he first engaged 
with H. |. Ordway, at Unadilla Forks, as an ap- 
prentice. He was born in Burlington. Otsego 
County, July 6, 1848. He followed the trade he had 
chosen in the east until 1873, working for James 
Brand in Utica, and for a time in Morris, this 
county. For a year and a half he was located in 
Macomb, 111., returning east in the fall of 1875, and 
entering the employ of Smith 6L Williams, in the 
old Collins Block, which then stood on a part of the 
present site of the Central Hotel building. Three 
years afterwards they went out of business, and he 
then entered the employ of Cohn, where he remained 
until the time he started in business for himself. 
He is well advanced in the Masonic fraternity, being 
a member of the Blue Lodge, the Oneonta Chapter, 
and the Malta Commandery of Binghamton. He is 
an active member of the Oneonta Club. In 1889 he 
married Ella, the daughter of Homer Wallace, of 
Burlington, Otsego County. 



i 




S. G. CAMP'S LIVERY STABLE. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



65 




Photo, by Smith. 



TOWNSEND BROS.. HARDWARE. 



Ford & Rowe, the leading wholesalers and job- 
bers in flour, feed, seeds and provisions, began 
business in the Wilber block, Main street, in 1887. 
This increased until their requirements demanded 
larger quarters and all of the facilities for 
handling goods in carload lots. In 1894 they 
constructed the large store and elevator on Mechanic 
street. It is a four story and basement structure of 
brick, with platforms for loading and unload- 
ing teams, and with an elevator approached 
from the rear b}' a private track switching to 
and from the D. & H. tracks. The area of 
each floor is 30 x 100 feet. The facilities are 
of the best for handling goods in large or small 
lots. The business of this firm is spread over 
the counties of Otsego, Delaware, Chenango 
and Schoharie, and requires the services of 
two traveling men for taking orders. The 
firm handles the products of several large 
western flouring mills, having the exclusive 
sale of " Pillsbury's Best " and "Columbia," 
also including the product of several large 
winter wheat mills. A great deal of its trade 
is in the shipment of full cars direct from 
the mills to its customers. The specialty of 
this house is corn, oats and wheat feed, bran 
and middlings and all kinds of corn goods, 
including gluten feeds, homin}^ meal, cotton- 
seed meal direct from Southern cotton mills. 
The trade is also very largely in choice grades 
of family lard, all grades of pork, sugar-cured 
hams, etc. They are large dealers in cheese. 
State full cream, and the}' contract the entire 
products of large factories. 

M. H. Riddell, proprietor of the Oneonta 
steam laundry, situated on Mechanic street, 
assumed control last March, and during the 
short space of time ensuing has built up a 
large and extended business. This was the 
first laundry in Oneonta. It was established 
in 1882 in a building opposite the present site. 
At that timeit wasanindustry which cameoppor- 



tunely for a growing town. 
Being appreciated, it was 
well patronized. But it 
remained for the present 
proprietor to infuse an 
active, progressive busi- 
ness spirit, and during the 
last few months, under 
Ills well directed efl'orts, it 
has grown in importance, 
:Hid has obtained a well- 
earned reputation second 
10 no other laundry in this 
part of the state. During 
I he past year it has been 
titled with an entirel)' new 
set of modern machinery, 
such, for instance, as a 
boiler and engine, hy- 
draulic washer, stationary 
tuhs, centrifugal wringer, 
steam starcher, pressers 
and shapers, and all the 
latest and best improve- 
ments. There are ironers 
for four different styles of 
work, so that no matter 
how fine the fabric or how 
delicate the color, the 
best results are obtained 
It is really interesting to ob- 



iii doing up the goods 

serve in this laundry the peculiarly perfect machinery 
that is used for the best class of work. Some idea of 
the importance of the business may be obtained from 
thefact that its present capacity is far in excess of $150 
worth of work per week. By strict attention to busi- 
ness and the most scrupulous regard for the interests 
of his customers, the proprietor has reached out into 
a large field of patronage, comprising not only a 
large village trade, but the very best in the largest 
towns in this and adjacent counties notably Scho- 
harie, Delaware and Chenango. The laundry is 
located in a large brick building but a few doors 
from Broad street, near the centre of the village. 
The class of work is of the very best, experienced 
workmen being employed. 

Mr. Riddell was born at Elk Creek, Otsego 
County, September 11, 1867. He was in the employ 
of Ford & Ruwe for a year and a half, coming to 
Oneonta from Davenport. For four years and four 




DR. GEO. F. ENTLER'S RESIDENCE. 



H. C. SMITH'S RESIDENCE. 



■66 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




BROWN & WARD'S HARDWARE STORE. 

months he was engaged in the laundn' business in 
Sedalia, Mo. He is a tj^pe of the hustling j'oung 
business man, who is doing much towards forwarding 
the interests of the village. 

Edgar Dunning Van Cleft, M. D., elected coroner 
January i, iSg6, the son of the Rev. Asa Jessup Van 
Cleft, the distinguished Methodist divine, was born 
in Wyoming, Pa., December 31, iS6q. He was edu- 
cated at the Cazenovia Seminary and at the Univer- 
sity of Pennsylvania, from which institution he was 
graduated June 30, 1S94. He also had an experience 
in hospital practice for about a year, and about three 
years ago located at Oneonta. On his mother's side 
he is descended from the well-known financier and 
coal operator, John Wood, of Wilkesbarre, who is 
probably the largest property owner and banker in 
that part of the State. Dr. Van Cleft is a member 
of the Oneonta lodge, F. and A. M., and of the 
County Medical Society and the Oneonta club. 

Oneonta Typographical Union, No. 135, chartered 
November 14, 1894, with the following members: 

R.F.Allen, F. A. Bissell. J. D. VanDycke, 
C. S. Hitchcock, M. R. Barnes, Wm. J. Mason. 
A. G. Weed, Wm. H Howard, C. A Burnett. 
R.P.Hill, G. A. Smith, F. M. Baldwin, E. R . 
Colegrove, A. D. Hitchcock, F. A. Jennings, A. C. 
Reynolds. 

Present Officers : President, — Wm. T- Mason ; 
vice-president, F. A. Jennings ; secording recre- 
tary, Wm. H. Howard ; financial and correspond- 
ing secretary, A. G. Weed ; treasurer, F. A. Bissell; 

Meets second Saturday in each month at Lewis 
hose parlors. 

Tillinghast & Son bought the business in music 
and musical instruments, which had been for years 
successfuU}' conducted under the name of Shearer, 
and took possession Januar}' i, i8g6. This is a large 
store located at No. 259 Main street, comprising two 
large floors for ware and display rooms. Here are 
shown an unusually large number of musical instru- 
ments of all kinds, the stock comprising the best 
grades and the most popular manufacturers. The 
display of pianos and organs compares favorably 
with many well-known music stores that are situated 
to draw much larger trade. It includes the Stultz & 
Bauer, which the firm has made a leader in pianos, 
the Mason & Hamlin, Behr Bros., and the Decker. 
The organs largely handled by this firm comprise the 



M. & H., Farrand & Votey, Wilcox «S: White, Car- 
penter and the Needham. The firm deals largely in 
violins, harps and all kinds of new and improved 
small instruments. Mr. George S. Tillinghast and 
his son came from Morrisville, Madison county, 
where the former was for many j'cars prominent in 
business and political circles. Three times he was 
elected count}' treasurer, which position he resigned, 
after serving eight years, to com.e to Oneonta. At 19. 
years of age he was errgaged in the boot and shoe 
business, and during 20 years in the tanning busi- 
ness; he was also engaged in the brokerage of west- 
ern loans. He married Attie A. Barrow, of West 
Eaton, Madison county, December 28, 1859. 

Charles C. Ingalls, contractor in cutting and sup- 
plying stone for all kinds of work, occupies a large 
yard near the depot, with 400 feet track front, where 
he has all the facilities for dressing and shipping. 
He has furnished the stone for man)' of the largest 
buildings in this section, including the business 
blocks on Main street, Oneonta, and the Univer- 
salist Church, several buildings in Sidney, the Opera 
House at Hamilton, the school at Earlville, the 
Worcester school-house, and the bank at Schene- 
vus, and buildings at Walton and other places ; also 
Mrs. Clark's fine residence at Cooperstown. He 
controls the large brown-stone quarries at Kortright, 
Delaware county, also building stone and flag quar- 
ries at Oneonta, and a flag quarry near Davenport, 
Delaware county. He contracts for mason work of 
all kinds; having done all the corporation work for 
the past six or seven years. He draws large quanti- 
ties of lime, sand, blue and brown stone, from 
Massachusetts, Ohio and Wisconsin. Mr. Ingalls 
was born in Oneonta April 11, 1866. He began 
stone cutting at Howe's Cave, Schoharie county, at 
14 years of age. Five years later he worked ai 
Gloversville, and two years afterward went to Sj'ra- 
cuse. He started in business in Oneonta in t88S. 
He married Mary Wolford, Howe's Cave, August 
21, 1SS9. He is a member of all the fraternal or- 
ganizations. 




THE CHILD AND THE) SLEEPING .SACK. 
(See page 63.) 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



67 




Photo, bv Smith. 



W. L. l!Ki IWN 



KH.SIDENCE. 



Dr. George W. Thomas. —The oldest practicing 
dentist in Oneonta to-day is Dr. George W. Thomas, 
who has recently opened new dental parlors on the 
second floor of the McCrum block, at No. 192 Main 
street, over Henry Saunders' book store. Dr. Thomas 
experience covers a period of twenty-five years, and 
in the use of local anesthetics he is skilled and relia- 
ble. The doctor is widely known through this and 
adjacent counties. He has practiced in all forms of 
dentistr}' in the several towns along the Susquehanna 
railroad. His present offices are fitted with all modern 
improvements for repairing and preserving or re- 
placing teeth. His parlors are conveniently located 
and comfortably arranged. His experience recom- 
mends him to the public where he has so long and 
faithfully practiced. 

He was born in Unadilla, Julj' 4, 1S50. In 1S75 
he began the stud}' and practice of dentistry with 
Lemon Thomas in that town. Four years later he 
was with B\'ron Peters, and they pursued the practice 
quite common then of visiting adjacent towns. For 
ten years succeeding 1880. 
he was with Dr. Morgan, 
and afterwards with Dr. 
Huntington, in the Yagel 
block. Dr. Thomas mar- 
ried Fanny Fleming of 
Sidney Plains, in 1869. His 
work consists of all branches 
of his profession, including 
the most difficult as well as 
others; his prices are moder- 
ate and results are guaran- 
teed. 

C. H. Borst, the grocer, 
at No. 246 Main street, has 
one of the best stores in 
town, and in a few years has 
built up a large trade in all 
branches of the grocery 
business. He carries a 
large line of fine imported 
and fancy groceries. He 
employs three men and two 
delivery wagons. He was 
born in Cooperstown, June 
II. 1863, and attended school photo. by Smith. 



at Albany_and Cobleskill. He entered 
the store of his father in the latter place 
as clerk in 1878, and remained there 
until 1893. when he came to Oneonta 
and established the present business. 
It has proven a successful venture be- 
cause he deals honorably with all and 
furnishes only the best goods. In 18S8 
he married Laura B., the daughter of 
Martin Schaeffer, of Schoharie. The 
business is altogether a family trade, 
which includes the most desirable class 
of customers. Mr. Korst is a member 
of the Oneonta club. 

H. P. Tompkins, a practical jeweler, 
with inore than 16 year's experience, 
displays as fine a line of goods as any 
dealer in that branch of trade in this 
section. His place of business in the 
Wilber Block is furnished with the best, 
high-grade productions of popular man- 
ufacturers, including plated and solid 
silver ware, cut glass articles, both useful and orna- 
mental, watches and clocks, decorated china, etc. 
Tompkins makes a specialty of optical work. 



Mr. 



He is a leading optician and is able to fit the eyes, 
and guarantees, to overcome any defect that it is 
possible to remedy with the use of glasses. He is 
also a practical workman in all kinds of engraving 
on metal. At seventeen years of age he began a 
course of instruction and practical work under his 
brother in Hamilton, Madison county, wliere he was 
born January 20, 1863. Altogether he devoted eight 
years in learning the business. He came to Oneonta 
in January, i8go. He married Genevieve Wilcox, 
of Hamilton, in 1889. Is a member of the Masonic 
order. 

A. E. Gardner, who has handled many valuable 
horses, last year secured the famous trotter, " Big 
Ben.'" This is one of the largest trotting horses in 
this country, He stands seventeen hands and an 
inch, weighs 1,300, has a record of '27, and can beat 
2:20. He is gentle and kind and inakes a fine car- 
riage horse. 




H. B. GILDERSLEEVE S DRUG STORE. 



68 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



Thomas E. Marsh, corner Main and Chestnut 
streets, who came here ten years ago and now has one 
of the leading drug stores in Oneonta, has with his 25 
years' experience, and ably assisted by Ralph 
McCune and Worden Lasher, made it a popular 
store. The stock is bought with great care and 
plenty of cash, as a consequence quality and prices 
are guaranteed. 





J. K. HOLORIDGE. 
Hayes & Bowdish, a large firm of cigar manu- 
facturers, occupies a spacious building on Chestnut 
street. This firm consists of James Hayes and C. 
H. Bowdish, both enterprising and successful 
business men. Mr. Hayes has personal charge of 
the manufacturing and Mr. Bowdish the office work 
and the marketing of the goods. The productions 
of this firm are very large, it emplojdng two travel- 
ing men and finding a steady demand for its goods 
in four States. Some idea of the extent of their 
business is shown in the fact that there has been sold 
eight millions of one brand of cigars, the Rambler, a 
leading five-cent article. The sale of another leader, 
" Two Sisters, " a ten-cent cigar, 
is very large. About twice a year 
they put out entirely new brands. 
Mr. James Hayes has worked 
at the business for 20 years. He 
was born in Norwich, Nov. 19, 

i86r, and came to Oneonta in 

1880. Ten years ago he estab- 
lished the business with a partner, 

under the firm name of Ha3'es & 

Potter, succeeding the latter in 

1890. The present firm was 

organized June i, 1892. He 

married Caroline Ciesielski, Feb. 

9, 1893. Mr. C. H. Bowdish was 

born in Charlestown, Mont- 
gomery count)'. May 21, 1864. 

He came to Oneonta in 1884 and 

was a bookkeeper and teller in 

the Wilber bank until he entered 

the present firm. He marricil 

Catherine M. Whyte, Sept. 26, 

1884. He is a member of the 

Masonic Lodge, and Chapter, 

and the Commandery of Bing- 

hamton. Photo, by Smith. 



Hon. David Wilber was one of the leading busi- 
ness and public-spirited men of Otsego county. His 
death, April i, 1890, was the cause of general public 
regret. Asa business man he achieved remarkable 
success. After accumulating a fortune he turned 
his attention to public affairs and felt the deepest 
interest in the advancement of Oneonta. He gave 
to the use of the public a pleasant, shady plot of 
picturesque woodland, in which was placed a small 
collection of animals; and associated with his son, 
D. F. Wilber, established a street car line which, in 
those days, in a town the size of Oneonta, was finan- 
cially a daring venture. The present Wilber Na- 
tional bank was established and largel}' built up to 
its present large and substantial position among 
financial institutions by him. He started at the bot- 
tom of tlie ladder and achieved remarkable success. 
The town observed the daj' of his burial in a manner 
which attested the affection in which he was gene- 
rally held. In the earl)' years of his life he was a 
modest farmer and country banker. In all his busi- 
ness dealings he was the soul of honor. In political 
matters he served his district earnestly and effect- 
ively in four congresses, was delegate of his party to 
two national conventions, served once as presi- 
dential elector, was for some time State railroad 
commissioner, and was a director of the Albany and 
Susquehanna railroad, being one of its chief sup- 
porters and builders. His wife, whose maiden name 
was Margaret Belinda Jones, was born in Connecti- 
cut, of a prominent family, her ancestors coming from 
England. 

Oneonta Council, No. 4, Order of United Friends, 
was organized March 17th, 1883- The officers *'or 
year 1896 are : Chief councilor, Henry Bull ; vice 
councilor, O. W. Peck ; recorder, Wm. White ; 
financier, A. A. Whitcomb ; treasurer, E. H. 
Scramling. It meets the second and fourth Mon- 
days of each month in Odd Fellows' Hall, Wilber 
Block. 




C. H. BORST'S GROCERY. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



69 




HAS. C.ARDXKR. A. H. CKPEKLEY. 

h. I-. GARDNER. 

Occupying a Prominent Place among the business 
interests of Oneonta, is tliat of Ceperle}^ & Gardner's 
Steam Laundr}', known far and near as the leading 
laundry of this section of central New York. This 
business was started b}' two of the present proprietors, 
A. E. Ceperley and Chas. Gardner, in 1S87, in a low 
wooden building, at the foot of Ford avenue. In 
i8q2 the business, having outgrown its limited quar- 
ters, was moved to the new brick block then just 
erected at 300 Main street. Two floors were occu- 
pied, giving several times the space formerly occu- 
pied. Additions were made to machinerj' and fix- 
tures, boiler and engine added, making a complete 
plant in every respect. In 1894 L. L. Gardner, who 
was employed as collector and had become familiar 
with this part of the business, 
was admitted to partnership, 
taking the entire supervision 
of the outside work of the 
firm, collecting, delivering, 
etc. Each member of the 
firm has constantl)' given his 
time and attention to the 
business, and being practical 
men, and keeping fully 
abreast of the times, they 
have succeeded in building 
up a large and flourishing- 
business. Each yearnew ma- 
chinery of the latest improved 
construction is added, and 
everything kept in the best 
possible shape for the turn- 
ing out of the fine class of 
laundry work for which they 
are noted. The firm early 
commenced doing work for 
surrounding towns, by estab- 
lishing agencies for handling 
the same, and their reputa- photo, by Smith. 



tion has so extended that thej' now have many 
flourishing agencies, and even in a number of 
places where steam laundries are in operation. 

A large force of experienced help is employed, 
and everything is done systematically and in the 
most careful manner. Thousands of pieces are 
laundried each week, with rarely the occurrence of 
a single mistake. Of the individual members of the 
firm, the senior member, A. E. Ceperley, came to the 
village in 1885, having previously been engaged in 
farming and teaching. Was engaged for a short 
time in the mercantile business, disposing of this, 
soon thereafter started the present laundry business. 
Mr. Ceperley has been quite prominently identified 
with church and kindred organizations, having 
served several years as Sunday School Superintend-- 
ent. Church Treasurer and President of the Y. M . 
C. A. In this line of work he has also been President 
of County and Town Sunday School Associations. 
Is a member of the Oneonta Club, Improved Order 
of Red Men, and other social organizations. During 
the past season Mr. Ceperle3'has erected for himself 
a fine residence at 63 Maple street, a cut of which is 
shown on another page. 

Charles Gardner came to Oneonta from Gilberts- 
ville in 1885, engaging at once in the only steam 
laundry in town at that time, that he might thor- 
oughly acquaint himself with the business before 
embarking in it for himself. Staying for more than 
a 3'ear, and until he had mastered the details of the 
business, he resigned his position, and soon with 
Mr. Ceperley started their present business. Mr. 
Gardner built for himself a commodious residence 
at Gardner Place, where he still resides. He is a 
member of the Masonic Order and the Oneonta 
Club. 

The junior member of the firm, L. L. Gardner, 
when a boy resided in Gilbertsville. His first work 
being in the mercantile line, which was followed for 
three years, and until he accepted a position in the 
Wilber National Bank, and removed to Oneonta. 
After three years' service in the bank he resigned his 
position to enter the laundry business in which he 
has gained the reputation of being a hustler. He is 
a member of the D. F. Wilber Hook & Ladder Co., 
Masonic Order and Oneonta Club. 




CEPERLEY & C.^RDXERS' LAUNDRY. 



70 



THE ONEONTA HLSTORICAL SOUVENIR. 





i 



I. S. DATLRV. C. S. WRICIIT. 

The Oneonta Young Men's Christian Association 

was organized in 1877, and the following gentlemen 
have seived in tlie capacity as presidents and general 
secretaries since that date : 

Presidents — O. C. Pratt, four years ; A. C. Hol- 
iey, five years; S. C. Niles, two rears; N. H. 
Briggs, elected three terms and served one year each 
term ; W. H. Bush, one year : A. H. Brownell, one 
year; A. E. Ceperley, two years: Albert Morris, 
one year. 

General Secretaries — M. H. C. Grant, one year ; H. 
L. Bundy, one year ; Theo. F Judd, two years ; W. 
H. Bush', three years; C. C. Swift, six years; Dana 
Conkiing, two years ; A. E. Merritt, four years. 

To any thoughtful person it is not necessary to 
mention facts or figures to show the importance of 
the Young Men's Christian Association in Oneonta ; 
its influence demonstrates its value. We wish to 
call the reader's attention to a few of the most im- 
portatu features of the work in Oneonta during the 
past four years. The following statistics will partially 
show what has been done, also some of the many 
wavs wherein the association is helping young men. 

For want of records we can only produce _^ 
statistics showing some of the results since 
the close of the year 1892, and during 
this period of lime the approximated at- 
tendance at the room has been 89,730 ; sit- 
uations secured for 32, and otherwise as- 
sisted 519 _voung men, besides 536 visits 
to the sick and injured ; 115 men's Gospel 
meetings held, with a total attendance of 
15.192 ; number of members secured, 693. 

The annual expense of the association 
for 1895 was $21,136.51. This amount 
is raised largely through subscriptions ; 
the Delaware and Hudson Canal Com- 
pany's annual appropriation of $600, be- 
sides coal for fuel amounting to about 
$175. The remainder is secured by local 
subscriptions and membership dues 

The Oneonta Union Agricultural Associa- 
tion is an incorporated organization for the 
purpose to give the people of Central Ne\y 
York an annual exhibition, in which there 
shall be that honest and healthful 



rivalry that promotes agriculture and other occupa- 
tions. This society has become famed for the first- 
class manner in which it conducts the annual fairs, 
and is now regarded as among those which are the 
most largely attended. The view we give on an- 
other page is from a photograph taken on a day 
when 20,000 people were present. Its success is 
primarily due to the public spirit and broad gauged 
ideas shown in its conduct. It is fair, however, to say 
— and we do so at the suggestion of some of its 
leading officers — that the lion's share of credit 
is due to Senator Walter Brown, who has been 
untiring and persevering in promoting its welfare. 
The society owns twenty acres of valuable ground 
in one of the best building locations in Oneonta, and 
the property would to-daj' net the association a 
handsome revenue if sold. The grounds are natu- 
rally amphitheatrical in topography. The stock of 
the association is high. R. M. Rose is the onh' life 
member. The officers : President, W. L. Brown ; 
secretar}', S. L. Huntington ; treasurer, Henry M. 
Bard ; executive committee : W. L. Brown, George 
I. Wilber and D. F. Wilber; directors: D. F. Wil- 
lier. A. C. Moody, G. I. Wilber, M. N. Rowe, A. 
C. Lewis. E. R. Ford : general superintendent, 
Major C. P. Root ; superintendent ladies' depart- 
ment, Mrs. F. C. Edwards. 

P. R. Young, the artist, has achieved the reputa- 
tion in the Susquehanna valle}' for turning out high 
grade photographic productions. He has made 
photography a study for many years, having worked 
with marked success in manj' places in Pennsyl- 
vania and this State. In recent years he has taught 
and drilled men who have proven that in his gallery 
they laid the foundation for their own success in 
after life. He is a native of Schoharie county. 
Sixteen years ago he located in Oneonta, where he 
has acquired the patronage of the leading and best 
known families. He has branch galleries in 
Worcester. Schenevus and Sidney, N. Y., 
where he does a considerable business. Prob- 
ably he is the oldest established photographer in 
the eastern part of the State. Most of the portrait 
work of the Normal school comes from his gallery. 
Fifteen successive first premiums have been awarded 
him at the Central New York fair. He is a genial, 
public-spirited man, personally interested in the so- 
cial and best interests of the town. His work for 
T/io Soiivcuir\\s.s been a great help in making it an 
artistic up-to-date publication, representing, as it 
does, many of the best known citizens whose por- 
traits we have the pleasure of producing. 




H mto Hi 





DAULEY & WRIGHT'S MARBLE WORKS. 



THE ONEOXTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



71 



A. E. Merritt, the present secretary, was born in 
Auburn, Wis., February S, 1S63. His father was a 
Wisconsin volunteer soldier of the late war, dying 
after about six months' service. His mother died 
February 18, 1881. Some time after her death he 
went to Niagara Falls to learn the trade of carriage 
painting, and while there was persuaded to visit the 
Young Men's Christian Association rooms for the 
first time, and through the friendly courtesies shown 
him, he gave his heait to Christ. He was 
sent to East Buffalo a.s assistant secretar)' of 
the railroad department connected with the New 
York Central and West Shore Railroad's and Wagner 
Palace Car Company's works. He came toOneonia, 
Sept. 1, 1S92, and took charge of the Y. M. C. A. 
!•■, "There was $460 indebtedness, with a mem- 
bership of onl)- 138. Of these, 28 were railroad 



brick church was built in the year 1890. Its present 
membership is 538. Sunday school has enrolled 
475. The. pews are free; expenses raised by weekly 
offerings. The Christian Endeavor Society of the 
Free Baptist church was founded in July, 1887, by 
the pastor. Rev. A. E. Wilson, and is the oldest 
society of that name in Oneonta. There were eight 
charter members. The membership now numbers 
125. The first money raised for erecting ihe present 
church edifice was the work of the Endeavor Society. 
On several occasions in the pastor's absence the so- 
ciety has conducted the usual church services, and 
in many ways it has been a source of inspiration 
and encouragement to the church. The music is a 
pleasant feature of the Sunday evening meetings, 
having an orchestra of stringed instruments, under 
the efficient leadership of Mrs. O. A. Miller. The 
present officers are: President, Miss Belle Wilson : 




Flashlight Photos, by Smith. D.\L"LEV ^: WRIGHT'.S 

men, and no local ; and in less than five months 
from the time he entered the work here, sufficient 
amount of finance was raised to pay all indebtedness 
and. to guarantee the support of the work for the 
coming year. 

As a result of four years' work, the present records 
show a membership of 155 railroad men, and 15S 
local : practically out of debt, with bright prospects 
of a new building in the near future ; a woman's 
auxiliary of 65 members. 

The Free Baptist Church was organized by Rev. 
O. T. Moulton in the year 1856. The charter mem- 
bers were sixteen in number, of which three are liv- 
ing, namely, F. Bornt, Mrs. F. Bornt, R. E. 
Marvin. In the year 1858 the first church building 
was erected. Since its organization it has had nine 
pastors. The present pastor, Rev. A. E. Wilson, en- 
tered uponHiis duties April ist, 1S87. A beautiful 



S.\LESROOMS .-VXD WORKSHOPS. 

vice-president, Fred. B. Graham; secretary, Mrs. 
Cora Bishop; treasurer. Miss Helen Congdon; cor- 
responding secretary, Miss Pearl Howe. There is 
also a junior society of sevent3'-five members con- 
nected with the church. 

Charles S. Pendleton was born in the town of Ox- 
ford, N. Y., April 25, 1S63. When quite young he 
moved with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanton Pen- 
dleton, to Norwich, N. Y. He graduated from the 
Norwich High School in 1S82: from Bates College, 
Lewiston, Me., in 1887, and from the Hamilton 
Theological Seminar)-, Hamilton. N. Y.. in 1S90. 
He held a successful pastorate of seven years in 
connection with the Free Baptist church in Colum- 
bia, N. Y., where the membership was more than 
doubled. In November, 1S96, he accepted a unani- 
mous call to become pastor of the Free Baptist 
church in Oneonta, N. Y. 



72 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAIy SOUVENIR. 




Photo bv Sniitli 



TIIXINC.HAST & SOX, ISUSIC STORK. 



The Howes Cave Lime and Cement Company was 

incorporated under the laws of tlie Stale of New 
York in 1867 b}' Hon. John Westover, of Richmond- 
villa ; Jared Good3'ear, of Colliers ; E. R. Ford and 
Harvey Baker, of Oneonta, as charter members and 
owners. Eli Rose, of Maryland, N. Y., entered 
their employ in the fall of the same year, and in 1868 
became an interested owner by purchasing an in- 
terest in the company and has continued with them 
to the present time. 

The business objects of the company were the 
quarrying of lime stone for building purposes, mak- 
ing quick or common lime, liydraulic cement and 
gypsum or land plaster. Nature had been liberal in 
depositing material for those articles in bountiful 
supply, but the approaches and sur- 
roundings of the premises taken up for 
the purpose, amounting to some 
seventy acres or more, were rude and 
rugged in the extreme. _»-^-^— 

The Albany and Susquehanna Rail- 
road (now part of the D. & H. C. Co. 
system), was then in operation through 
the company's lands, and blasting often 
hurled large rocks on to the tracks, so 
close was the ledge to them. Nothinsx 
in the shape of an improvement amount- 
ing to a nail or a shingle was to be 
found on the plat, so that the houses, 
barns, shops, kilns, mills, derricks, 
engines, and countless other things 
requisite for executing the business in 
view had to be provided, involving a 
great amount of labor and large ex- 
pense. The limestone ledge has a 
front face along the railroad of over 
one hundred rods in length, with side 
track about one-half its distance, and 
might easily be extended the whole 
length if found desirable. The first 
series or ledge in sight from the rail- 
way cars is the dark blue limestone 44 
feet thick, made of courses of varying 
thickness, from one inch to two or 
three feet, but stone comparatively thin 
and light predominate. Next above Photo, bv Smith. 



showing 



the blue limestone, and 
hardl)' visible from the 
cars, may be found the 
gray lime in large, massive 
blocks, Cclpable of yield- 
ing stone of most ex- 
cellent quality and sound- 
ness, and of any size 
within the limits of pos- 
sibility to handle or trans- 
port, making them emin- 
ently suitable for piers, 
abutments, canal locks, 
retaining walls and all 
kinds fof first-class 
masonry, either light or 
heavy and massive. This 
series of rock where now 
being worked presents an 
imposing front thirty feet 
thick and will gradually 
thicken as worked back 
further from the front. 

The lime burned here is 
ver}' strong, adhesive and 
of great durability. As a 
sample, reference is made 
to the stone fort at Scho- 
harie Court House, four 
miles from Howes Cave, 
built more than one hun- 
dred years ago from native 
no imperfections of stone or 



I 



materia 
mortar. 

Howes Cave cement has become a standard article 
on the market, and during the past twent}' years has 
gone into some of the best and most expensive struc- 
tures of this and other States with great satisfaction, 
under the direction of the best engineering talent 
and skill. We mention a few: New Capitol, Al- 
bany; Holland House, New York city; Scranton 
steel works; Troy steel and iron works; Fair Haven 
(Vt.) leservoir, and many others. 

In 1870 Eli Rose was appointed secretar}' and 
treasurer and general superintendent, and has con- 
tinued in that capacity up to the present time, and 
thus the details of construction and improvement, as 
well as manufacture and sale of products, have 
necessarily passed under his supervision, so that 
after nearly thirty years' of experience and continu- 




A. H. TIPPLE'S RACQUET STORE. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR, 



73 



ous practice he is finely equipped to carry forward 
the enterprise. From the above brief description of 
the history and present condition of the Howes Cave 
Lime and Cement Co.'s plant and its productions it 
will readily be seen to be in the interest of intendinji 
buyers of building stone, cut or uncut, lime or ce- 
ment, to communicate with their treasurer, l.li Rose, 
Howes Cave, N. Y. 




raduated with 



Till-; FIRST NATIUXAI. LX: 1-- 

George E. Moore, the druggist, occupies one of 
the finest stores in town. It is an imposing, four- 
story building, 22}4 X So feet, centrally located, and 
since Mr. Mcore started in business in Oneonta, 
1884, has been a popular place, the focus of a con- 
siderable trade. In connection with the drug busi- 
ness, Mr. Moore carries a large line of artists' 
materials. He was born in Arena, Delaware county, 
June I, 1857. After a three years' course in the Ne 
York College of Pharmac}', he was 
honors. As will be seen by 
the engraving on another 
page, the interior of the 
store is spacious, .Tnd fine!}- 
fitted up. 

C. H. McGonegal, the 
proprietor of the Central 
Hotel, which is probablj- the 
largest house on the line 
of the road, has been in ihv 
business for twentj' years 
and is ver\' widely known, 
his house being a favorite 
headquarters for the travel- 
ing public. When he took 
possession of the hotel. 
about seven years ago, it 
was not a largely pat- 
ronized place. The many 
traveling men who came t<i 
Oneonta soon learned th.nt 
under the new manage- 
ment thev would be well 



taken care of and would be made to feel at home. 
His personaltj' infused a new life in every depart- 
ment and the result is that this house has a very 
large patronage and is recognized as among the 
first-class hotels in the State. Mr. McGonegal was 
born in Geneva, N. Y., in 1849. He is ably assisted 
by his wife who maintains personal supervision over 
the care of the rooms and the culinarj^ department. 

Louis W. Ferenbaugh was born on August 24th, 
1S68, at Corning, Steuben county, N. Y. His edu- 
cation was secured in the union si,hools at Painted 
Post and Havana (now Montour Falls), and at the 
academy in Watkins, N. Y. His journalistic life 
commenced in i88r, when he became Havana cor- 
respondent of the Elmira Daily Gazette. In the 
spring of 1883 his parents moved to Watkins, and 
shortly after he became countv correspondent of the 
Elmira Gazette. In 1S87 he took charge of the local 
work on the Watkins Herald, which was then pub- 
lished by S. H. Ferenbaugh (his father). A few 
years thereafter he took charge of the editorial de- 
partment of that paper as well, and continued in 
that position until Februar}' of the present year, 
with the exception of the months of May and June. 
1891, when he acted as city editor of the Corning 
Evening Chronicle, as a matter of accommodation 
for Ed. Moit, the well known "Old Settler" of the 
New York Sun, who was a personal friend, and de- 
sired him to assist in the establishing of that paper. 
In 1888 he became the representative of the Asso- 
ciated Press for that district, and during these years 
did considerable special work for the Elmira Sun- 
daj' Telegrain, Rochester Morning Herald, Elmira 
Evening Star and other papers. In the latter part of 
June last he succeeded Henry G. Bishop as editor 
and publisher of the Otsego Democrat and Oneonta 
Press, and has made that paper a sterling Demo- 
cratic organ, as well as a progressive local news- 
paper. S. H. Ferenbaugh is associated vvith him in 
the management of the paper. In i8Sg he became a 
member of the New York State Editorial Associa- 
tion, and was one of the first members of the New 
York State Democratic Editorial Association, and 
still retains both memberships. He is now the local 
representative of the Associated Press. Mr. Feren- 
baugh is a member of Canadesage Lodge, No. 196, 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Watkins, N. 
Y.; a charter member of Watkins Tent, No, 166, 
Knights of the Maccabees, and a past district deputj' 
great commander of that order. He served nearly eight 
years as an active member of Norman Steamer and 
Hose Company, No. i, of Watkins, N. Y., being 
three years secretary and treasurer and two years 
president, and is now an honorary member of that 
company. 




L. C. GURNEY'S Res. 



E. GURNEY'S Re.s. 



74 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




Photo, by Smith 



H. A. 1 iMU'.K 



The Veteran Firemen's Association was organized 
October 3rd, 1890. W. H. Wilson was chairman 
and M. J. Miller, secretary of their first meeting. 
The organization is independent of the fire depart- 
men, and is composed of old firemen who have 
served five years in any regular fire company and 
been honorabl}' discharged. Its objects are fraternal 
and beneficiary, and several of its members have 
served their time in New York city, Albany, Troy, 
and other large cities of the State. The uniform is 
blue cap, red shirt, and dark pants, with black belt. 
In 1S92 the veterans purchased of the village of 
Laurens an old fire engine, which is believed to be 
one of the oldest in the State, and can be traced 
back nearly eighty years, but its origin is unknowri. 
This has been placed in complete repair, newlv 
painted, and is highly prized by the association. 



The Oneonta Club, the leading 
social organization, comprises a 
limited membership of men, prin- 
cipally those engaged in a busi- 
ness or profession in the town, 
either as proprietors or clerks. 
This club is strictly conservative, 
permitting no card or other games 
for stakes, or betting of any des- 
cription in the club house. The 
first quarters provided were those 
which are vacated at the close of 
this year for the new home re- 
cently constructed at Dietz and 
Reynolds streets. Few club 
buildings are more attractive or 
larger, and none are more taste- 
fully and prettily furnished 
throughout. It is a large house, 
as will be seen b)' reference to 
the view made expressly for this 
Souvenir by P. R. Young, and 
printed on another page. Broad, 
neatly graded grounds, framed 
with majesiic trees, surround the 
building, and the approach from 
either street presents to the eye 
a majestic structure. The rooms 
are broad and high, and there is nothing cramped in 
appearance. One main point in view in the con- 
struction of the building was to provide for 
the accommodation of many guests on such 





DOYLE & SMITH'S BLOCK. 



ina)' be desired to give a 
The ladies have not been for- 



STEVENS & HILLS.'HARDWARE 



occasion as it 

social function. 

gotten in the provisions, as ver}' attractive and con 

venient retiring rooms are set apart for them. 

Another feature is the broad portico which extends 

across the sides of the house overlooking the two 

streets. The measurements overall are 42 x 90 feet ; 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL vSOUVENIR. 



75 




ALBERT MORRIS, RESIDENCE. 

two floors and a basement. The first 
prises a vestibule, gxq; reception hall 
reading room, i6 x 33; billiard 
room, 38x42 and coat room. The 
second floor has a hall g x 42 : 
Board of Governors' room. 16 x 
24 : two card rooms, one 16x24 ; 
and the other i6xiS; assembly' 
room, 28 X 42, and ladies' toilet. 
In the basement are the members" 
toilet, the furnace and the jani- 
tor's quarters. The interior is 
finished in natural oak. The 
officers 1896 : President. Albert 
Morris ; ist vice-president, £. 1. 
Gurnej' ; 2d vice-president. C. E. 
Northrup; secretar\' and treas- 
urer, N. H. Emmons. 

The Board of Governors' 
regular meeting the first Wednes- 
day of the month, 8 p. m.— W. E. 
Ford. Chairman; C. F. Shelland, 
A. Morris, E. R. Ford, E. J. 
Gurney, Geo. E. Northrup, 
Charles Smith, C. H. Borst, C. 
W. Fairchild, N. H. Emmons, 
secretary. 

St.vnding Committees : Finance — Charles Smith, 
E. R. Ford. C. F. Shelland. Publications— C. F. 
Shelland, E. J. Gurney, G. W. Fair- 
child Furniture and Supplies — E. R. 
Ford, G. E. Northrup, W. E. Ford, 
Insurance — C. H. Borst, Charles 
Smith, G. W. Fairchild. Entertain- 
ment—A. Morris, C. H. Borst, C. F. 
Shelland. Games and Tournaments 
— G. E. Northrup, Charles Smith, C. 
H. Borst. Janitor, Lights and Fuel 
— E. J. Gurney, A. Morris, W. E. 
Ford. 

Benjamin A. Church, M. D., was 

born in Coventry, Chenango county, 
Sept. II, 1855. He attended school 
at Sherburne until 18 years of age, 
when he occupied two years in teach- 
ing school. In the mean-time he 
studied medicine with Drs. E. S. 
and H. C. Lyman at Sherburne. In 
June, 1875, he went before the cen- 
sors of the Chenango County Medi- 
cal Society and passed a preliminary 
examination. Attending the Uni- 
versity of the City of New York 
for three 3'ears, he was graduated 
in February, 1878, and was one of 



the nine of a class of 165 who re- 
ceived honorable mention. The 
doctor began practice at once in 
Columbus, Chenango county, 
where he remained five years. In 
April, 18S3, he removed to 
Oneonta, where he has since en- 
joyed a large practice. After a 
practice of about ten years, in 
course of which he had given 
much time and attention to the 
study and treatment of diseases 
of the eye and ear, nose and 
throat, he decided to suspend 
practice and more thoroughly 
and fully qualify and equip him- 
self in those special branches of 
his profession, and in the fall of 
1884 entered the office of W. H. 
Mittendorf, of New York city, 
a noted specialist, in the capacity 
of student and assistant, avail- 
ing himself of not only the supe- 
WM. MORRIS, RESIDENCE. lior advantages for instruction 

floor com- and observation afforded by Dr. Mittendorf and his 
25 X 33 ; extensive private practice, but of the benefit of a 

more diversified experi- 



ence derived from a daily 
practice in the New York 
Eye and Ear Infirmary, 
one of the largest clinical 
institutions of its kind in 
the world. In 18S8 he re- 
turned to Oneonta, where 
he has since, in connec- 
tion with general practice, 
continued to sucessfullj' 
treat the various affections 
of eye, ear, nose and throat, 
and perform the more deli- 
cate and difficult opera- 
tions requiring a specialist. 
He was married to Mar)' 
E. Burton, of Oneonta, 
Dec. 26, 1883. She died 
in November, 18S6. The 
doctor married Minnie 
Gertrude Mallery. of Wells 
Bridge, Oct. 26, 1887. He 
is a member of the Che- 
nango County Medical 
Society, expresident of the Otsego Count}' Medical 
Society, and a fellow of the State Aledical Association. 




MRS. L. (",. RICHMOND. 




MRS. SCOTT'S GREENHOUSE. 



76 



THE ONEONTA HIvSTORICAL SOUVENIR 




lifa 



THE THIRD 3EPARATK COMPANY— Captain Walter Scott, Commander. 



THE ONEOXTA HISTORICAL SOLVKN IR. 



77 




K1-;VKS, Res. 

T. E. MARSH. Res. 



\V. H. JOHNSON, Res. 
jrDGE;NEL!^ON, Res. 



learning, during which 
time he attended a select 
school at Napanoch three 
months. He then began 
the stud)' of law, and in 
1S58 entered the office of his 
uncle, Barna R. Johnson, 
at Downsville. He was 
admitted to practice in the 
State courts at Bingham- 
tom, in November, 1861. 
On August 20, 1875, he 
was admitted to practice in 
the United States circuit 
courts, and on March. 31, 
1892, to the United States 
Supreme Court. The cas- 
es and points he has argued 
during the past twent^'-five 
vears, constituting mate- 
rial for at least twenty-five 
good sized volumes, afford 
the most satisfactory and 
conclusive evidence of in- 
dustry and ability. For 
twelve years he practiced 
law in Andes, Delaware 
county, then locating at 
Delhi, the county seat, 
where he continued for the 
next 15 years. In the fall 
of 1888 he opened a branch 
office at Oneonta, and, at 
the expiration of a year 
finding that the growing 
business in the new field 
demanded his entire time, 
he removed to that place. 
Since his appointment in 
the Statutor}' Commission 



William H. Johnson, a distinguished lawyer, whose 
residence is in Oneonta, where he is also a member 
of the law firm of Johnson & Huntington, was ap- 
pointed as one of the Statutory Revision Commis- 
sioners by Governor Morton in the winter of 1895. 
His associates are C Z. Lincoln, of Cattaraugus 
county, and A. Judd Northrup, of S3'racuse. The 
duty of the commission is to prepare and report to 
the legislature bills for the consolidation and revis- 
ion of the general statutes of this state; also on re- 
quest of either house of the Legislature, or of any 
committee, member, or officer thereof, to draft or 
revise bills, to render opinions as to the constitu- 
tionality, consistency or other legal effect of proposed 
legislation, and report by bill such measures as they 
deem expedient. Pursuant to chapter 1096 of the 
laws of 1895, a commission was appointed to revise 
the Code and Mr. Johnson is a member of that 
commission. In these appointments the ability and 
learning of Mr. Johnson as a lawyer was 
recognized in a fitting manner. Indeed, his 
prominence in the profession is largely due to the 
fact that his practice is extensive and has given him 
an eminent reputation. It is general!}' conceded 
that in cases of contested litigation his experience 
has been more extensive than that of any other lawyer 
of his age in the 6th judicial district. His earlv 
life was begun under difficulties and with restricted 
advantages, but, with an unconquerable devotion to 
his chosen profession and indomitable persever- 
ence in accomplishing all that he undertakes, Mr. 
Johnson has succeeded in accomplishing results 
which fully entitle him to the distinction of a self- 
made man. He was born in the town of Colchester, 
Delaware county, August 20, 1S39. His father was 
of Irish descent and nis mother descended from the 
Puritans. Until nineteen years of age his opportu- 
nities were restricted to farm life and district school 



much of his time is required in Albany, and the prac- 
tice of the fin.i is consequently considerably ex- 
panded. Mr. Johnson is a Republican in politics, 
a member of the State Bar association, and belongs 
to the Masonic lodge at Delhi. He is also a mem- 
ber of the First Presbyterian church and takes a deep 
interest in its welfare and prosperity. He was inar- 
ried at Downsville, June 23, 1862, to Mary Frances 
Tiffany. They now have one son, John G., who is 
a lawyer and a resident of Oneonta. 




W. H. JOHNSON. 



78 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




THE FIRE DEPARTMENT— Group i. (Key on page 8i.) Chief Engineer— James O'Brien. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



79' 



Richmond and Millard, proprietors of the Windsor 
Hotel, have demonstraied that they are prime land- 
lords and know how to conduct a first-class house. 
The Windsor is a modern hotel in every respect. 
Throughout the interior the finish is bright and 
handsome, and the furnishings in all parts of the 
house are comparatively new. All that insures com- 
fort and good living is provided. Those who have 
partaken of its hospitalit)' will confirm the statement 
that there is not a hotel in the interior of the State 
more complete in appointments, more home-like, or 
provided with a better table. The service is all 
that could be desired, competent help being 
employed. It is the only house on the Suscjue- 
hanna road, between Albany and Bingiiamton, 
provided with an elevator. Leonard P. Richmond 



agreeable he makes everybody around him the same. 
He was born in Gilbertsville, Otsego county, July 21, 
1841, and was brought up in hotel surroundings, his 
father being engaged in that business for j-ears. He 
is a veteran of the late war, having enlisted in the 
First Ohio Light Artillery on April ig, 1861, and 
serving almost continuously in the principal western 
campaigns until June 15, 1S65, at which time he 
received his discharge. He served under Grant, 
Buell, Thomas and Sherman. On March 19, 1866, 
he married Miss Gardner. In 1876 he was employed 
in the Central, Oneonta, by A. C. Lewis, and for 
five years he was at the Ballard, Cooperstown, with 
Sidney Ballard. 

Hamilton F. Van Woert is recognized as a fore- 
most artist in photographic work, and many of the- 




Photos. by Smith. 



M. GURXEY & SONS' DRY GOODS STORE. 



and John R. Millard, the proprietors, have been in 
the hotel business for years, are widely known and 
are popular with the traveling public. Mr. Rich- 
mond in 1863 purchased the Laurens House, where 
he was located for 30 years, at the same time con- 
ducting a stage line l)etween Cooperstown and 
Oneonta via Hartwick and Laurens. He was at the 
Central in Oneonta a short time and left there when 
the present firm took the Windsor, which was on 
March 26, 1894. He was born in Conesville, Scho- 
harie county. Aucust30, 1S34. On April 19, 1894. 
he married the widow of Sidney Ballard who was a 
well known hotel man. 

John R. Millard has been in the hotel business 
nearly all of his life. Always good natured and 



finest productions in that line come from his galler)% 
in the Ford & Ford block, 'No. 143 Main street. 
This was completed expressly for his purpose, and 
there is no better arranged gallery, or none more 
prettily furnished outside of the larger towns. The 
arrangement as to light, conceded to be the most 
important part of the construction of a photograph 
gallery, was devised especially under his direction. 
Mr. Van Woert was born in Oneonta, April 5, 1S57. 
In 18S0 he began the practical part of the business 
under Young of Oneonta, and five and a half years 
later opened a gallery of his own in the Merenus 
block, where he contended with many disadvantages.. 
He moved into his present quarters April ist, iSg6.. 



8o 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 









l«r^-%^?^i 



y • .XV. 



*'^- i-V).^' 



^. 






1^^ n> 



143 '-• 



w| r ^. f^ ^i l«^. ^*- . v^'li 1^, f-^ 

; ,,:, s-is .7 146 '^^ 



148^1 149 J^^ 150^ >^ 











WWW 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT— Group 2. (Key on page 82.) 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



Sr 



KEY TO THE FIREMEN'S PORTRAITS. 



The Veterans. (See page yS.) 

1 L. A. Groat, foreman 

2 F. Fairchild, 

3 A. Weed, 

4 Geo. Smith, 

5 Peter Weidniau, 

6 F. Griffin, 

7 J. Boughton, 

S Thomas Doyle, 
9 John Fletcher, 

10 John Johnson, 

11 Arthur Pryn, 

12 Jav White. 

13 M."E. Gile. 

14 W. D. Manson, 

15 Jerome Wells, 
j6 Geo. Bond, 

17 Wm. bloat, 

iS Arthur Stevens, 

19 J. A Sperbeck, 

20 E. E. Miles. 

21 Thos. Glenn, 

22 Geo. Riley, 

23 Emory House, 

24 J. D. Van Dyke, 

25 Wm. McMinn, 

The Steamer Co. 

51 Wm. SpolTotd, engineer. 

52 Wm. V\hilmore, 

53 Wm. Hickey,' 

54 S. J. Preston, 

55 B. Parisli, 



26 John P. Primmer, 

27 J. Elliott, 

2S W. S. McLean,) 

29 Samuel Coon, 

30 F. Houghtaling, 

31 M. J. Maler, 

32 B. Hlatt, 

33 D. Brewster, 

34 B. Van Ostrand, 
"■^ A. Schafer, 

36 John Smith, 

37 H. R. Gaylord, 

38 J. Kelford, 

39 Chas. Halcomb, 

40 Chas. Burnside, 

41 Wm. Bronk, 

42 L. B. Lennon, 

43 H. E. Conant, 

44 A. R. Smith, 

45 H. L. Jordan, 

46 James Roberts, 

47 Jacob ISIayer, 

48 B. A. Church, 

49 James Smith, 

50 George Rej-nolds. 



61 M. Hickey, 

62 L. D. Burdick, 

63 H. G. Hughes, 

64 M. .A. Garlick, 

65 Ira Reynolds, 



ducted on modern lines. Their trade in flour alone 
is equal to that in the aggregate of several smaller 
stores, one very popular brand being made by the 
patent roller process from No. i hard winter wheat, 
exclusivel}' for the firm and bearing its own name. 
Frederick W. Whitcomb started in business with I. 
L. Pryun in October 1894,31 that time dealing only 
in hay and wood. In December, 1S95, Mr. Pryun 
retired and Mr. Whitcomb continued alone until 
May 20th, 1S96, in the meantime adding groceries to 
his lormer business when Mr. Hecox took a half 
interest and became an active partner. Upon enter- 
ing the new store, a more complete line of stock was 
added; a stock which is to-day second to none. Mr. 
Whitcomb was born in New Haven, Conn. June 
14th, 1S58. At thirteen years of age he found 
employment in this village with W. A. E. Tompkins, 
hatter and men's furnishings. He was employed in 
the Herald office for eight years and afterwards con- 
ducted a bakery and confectioner)' business. He 
was a partner with C. W. Peck in printing and sta- 
tionery for three years ; afterwards with Morehouse 
& Munson. He was a collector for the Star the first 
two years it was published and subsequently 
employed by Conant, afterwards with F. L. Dibble. 
He married Nellie E. Dodge of Jersey City. N.J.,. 
March 21, 1SS3. He is a member of the Knights of 




A. E. GARDNER'S WELL KNOWN TROTTER " BIG BEN." 



56 Geo. Hutchinson, 

57 G. Murphy, 

58 J. C. Warner,! 

59 E. F. Mcl.aurj', 

60 Harry Driggs^ 

Levis Hose Co. 

71 C. W. ls\QG\xxyi, foreman. 

72 G. W. Eggleston, 

73 C. A. Card, 

74 Charles S. Higgins, 

75 Teddy Mooney, Mascot. 

76 John O'Brien, 

77 J. Palmer, 

78 A. W. Schultze, 

79 Wm. Higgins, 

80 David Donovan, 



f6 C. E. Gifford, 

67 Harry Adams, 

68 D. E. Hubbard, 

69 J. E. Hayes, 

70 E. Colegrove. 



81 Frank Haves, 

82 D. Thur.<;t6n, 

83 Wm. Van Deusen, 

84 P. McHugh, 

Ss B. W. Voorhees, 

86 J. Slatterv, 

87 Geo. Smith, 

SS Chauncev Herrick, 

89 C. J. Flanigan, 

90 M. Dempsey, 



The Oneonta Supply Company began business in 
their big store in the Packer Block, Main and River 
streets, June nth, 1896. The opening was one that 
will long be remembered by their many patrons. 
To each of two hundred lady callers on that da)', 
they gave a sack of choice flour. The proprietors 
are Whitcomb &; Hecox. The supplies which ihey 
furnish comprise all lines of groceries, grain, feed, 
hay, straw and wood. Their store is without doubt 
the largest in the county, the business being con- 



Pythias and was for nine years a member of the 
Hook and Ladder Company. Danford L. Hecox. 
was born in Milford June 23d, 1846 At the age of 
seventeen he became a resident of Edmeston living 
there for five years and learning the trade of carpenter 
and joiner, after which he moved to Cooperstown, 
being engaged there a portion of the time in the 
contracting business, and in 1879 came to Oneonta 
where he has resided ever since. He was employed 
by the D. & H, C. Co. for three years and then 
entered the contracting business in which he was 
engaged for a number of years, building in the mean- 
time several fine residences He is the owner of 
considerable residential property in Oneonta, notably 
two rows of desirable dwellings on lower Main street. 
Mr. Hecox is a public-spirited man and has been 
very active in local afTairs, having been elected as 
Village Treasurer in i8qo, serving in 1891 as Com- 
missioner of Streets. He has been a director and 
appraiser of the Building & Loan association ever 
since it was started and has been first vice-president 
for the last four years. He is a member of all 
branches of the Odd Fellows having served in all 
offices in the local lodge. He is also an exempt 
fireman of both Cooperstown and Oneonta Depart- 
ments. He married Mary Jane Dennison of Coopers- 
town, November 3d, 1870. 



82 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



KEY TO THE FIREMEN'S PORTRAITS. 
D. F. Wilber Hook & Ladder Co. (See page So.) 



91 N. il. Emmons, foreman 

92 A. Hecox, 

93 Will. Champlain, 

94 James Miles. 

95 Bert Marshal, 

96 Fred Larrabee, 

97 Arthur Coon, 

98 Gus Demar, 

99 Geo. Holdredge, 

100 R. D. Tallmadge, 

101 B. H. Gildersleeve, 

102 Clarence Sewall, 

103 Fred Van Wie, 



107 M. Frisbee, 

108 M. Dean, 

109 G. E. Chamberlain, 
no E. E. Scatchard, 
III L. C. Frisbee, 

iia L. Gardner, 

113 John Hine, 

114 R. Westcott, 

115 Harry Loveland, 

116 Geo. Norton, 

117 Barton Elliot, 

118 G. A. Burkhart, 

119 E. D. Tovvnsend, 



152 W. W. Doniinick, 
133 Irvin Tyler, 

154 J. W. Park, 

155 A. Hamilton, 

156 Reid Pierce, 

157 Fred Mason. 

158 C. Sinarbeaux, 

Mechanics' Hose Co. 

170 Win. Williams, 

171 W. S. Foord, 

172 J. A. Warner, 

173 Thomas Thornburn, 

174 Joseph Gwynn, 

175 Howard Jayne, 

176 Danie) Babcock, 

177 Harry Coleman, 



163 G. B. Springer, 

164 Roscoe Briggs, 

165 Thos. Smith, 

166 C. F. Pettengill, 

167 L. D. Holmes, 
16S O. C. Babbitt, 
169 Frank Edwards. 



17S J. R. Garling, 
179 G. Tansett, 
iSo W. Thornburn, 
181 Chas. Eveland, 

152 Jacob Walter, 

153 James Perry, 
184 Cowell Smith. 




THE WINDSOR. 



104 O. M. Edgar, 

105 Spencer Rowe, 

106 E. C. Slade, 

George I. Wilber Hose Co. 

123 Wm. T.,eventhal,/o;r>«are 

124 I. D. Butts, 

125 J. Foley, 

126 James Kerwin. 

127 H. Whitney, 

128 Frank Wrfght, 

129 F. Fairchilds, 

130 E. K. Smith, 

131 F. Bedford, 

132 A. L. Joslyn, 

133 A. W. Carroll, 

134 Wm. Ochse, 

135 R. Vandeburgh, 

J. M. Milne Hose Co. 

148 F. R. Pashley, 

149 A. Fornian, 

150 E. L. Harmon, 

151 C. A. Sanford, 



120 T. A. Rowe, 

121 Samuel Russell, 

122 Jas. Desmond, 



136 J. J. Mulkins. 
T37 lohn Lind, 

138 Lester Mor.'-e, 

139 John Dewar, 

140 W. Richmond, 

141 E. B. Smith. 

142 Paul Link, 

143 R. Adams, 

144 E. Marsh, 

145 L. W. Murphj','' 

146 Chas. Opel, 

147 M. G. Connell. 



159 J. N. Conant, 

160 G. H. Dildine, 

161 Geo. Wohlleben, 

162 Samuel Firn, 



J. B. Douglass, the proprietor of the Vienna bak- 
ery, started in the business in Oneonta August 10, 
1896. This is next to the oldest established bakery 
in town, and it supplies a large number of customers, 
Mr. Douglass desires to cater to the best trade, and 
for that reason he draws his supplies from the large 
jobbers in the best flour, and is strictly conscien- 
tious in the use of ingredients, furnishing no sub- 
stitutes but those only which are pure. Before go- 
ing into business he was a pupil in the Oneonta 
public schools. He came from Davenport, Dela- 
ware count)', where his father died when he was a 
boy, leaving him to find a way of getting his own 
living. He has good business ideas, and deserves a 
large patronage. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



83 




JOHN MILLARD L. G. RICHMOND. 

Oneonta Union School and Academy.— One of the 
time-honored institutions of the Susquehanna valley 
is the Oneonta Union School and Academy. 
Throughout its whole history it has been fully 
abreast of the times, and has advanced with the 
growth and prosperity of surrounding interests. It 
has to a great degree helped mould and fashion the 
social and intellectual character of Oneonta, and 
has impressed itself on its business interests as 
well. Grateful remembrances of what it has accom- 
plished are entertained, and it is worthily honored 



efficiency and well managed, with the following 
officers and teachers : The Board of Education : 
Albert Morris, president ; Alva Seybold, secretary 
and librarian ; S. 1. Wright, treasurer ; G W. Laid- 
law, collector : John R. Skinner, Charles K. Lau- 
ren, Charles Aussiker, J. Olney Rowe, William 
Edmunds. The Faculty : William C. Franklin, 
superintendent Academic department ; Alfred W. 
Abranis, Ph. B., languages and sciences ; Ella M. 
Briggs, mathematics and history ; Margaret Alton, 
English and science ; Franke Goss, commercial 
branches and history. Preparatory department : 
Harriet E. Stevens, Frances D. Kellogg Grammar 
and Intermediate departments : Linda V. Mead, 
Flora A. Shearer, Anna Lane, Jennie Green, Caro- 
line D. Hurlbutt, Julia M. Wright, E. Estell South- 
well. Primary department : Helen Downs, Kate 
Lane, Leila Tanner, Clara Bunn, Jennie M. Fair- 
child, River Street School : Mrs. Anna G. Cliurch, 
principal ; Primary department : Mila Frasier, Zil- 
pha Church ; special : Stella Bligh, supervisor of 
music and drawing. 

The Journeyman Barbers' International Union. — 
No. 168 of Oneonta, N. Y., was fully organized on 
lune 22d, 1894, the officers elected on June 26th, 
1894: president, C. C. Wallace; vice-president, F. 
E. Bedford ; financial secretary, E. O. Suits ; cor- 
responding and recording secretary, E. J. Phelps ; 
treasurer, 1. E. Lamb. There were nine charter 
members about a year previous to the present organi- 
zation, the barbers of Oneonta had formed them- 
selves into an association of barbers, the bosses and 
journeymen combined, and at that time they closed 
by mutual consent all shops in the town on Sunday 
except two one-chair shops. The scale of wages 
was then from I7 to $10, and the hours were from 




AN OUTLOOK FROM THE OTSEGO HILLS. 



by its alumni. This school was organized in 1868, 
and an academic department under the visitation of 
the regents of the university was added in 1873. 
By a classification of the institutions under their 
supervision made in 1896, this department will 
henceforth be known as the Oneonta High School. 
Under the efficient supervision of Prof. N. N. Bull, 
which extended over twenty-five years, the school 
grew rapidly. At the present time two buildings 
are in use, with a registration of 1,100 students, and 
twenty-two teachers are employed. Under the pres- 
ent administration the school is in a high state of 



7 A. M. to 9.30 P. M. Now the scale is from $10 to 
$12, and the shops close as follows : On Wednesday, 
9 p. M.; Saturday, 12 m.; other days at 8 p. m.; legal 
holidays at noon. The scale of prices is fixed in the 
by-laws. The union is prosperous, having thirteen 
members in good standing, and one jurisdiction 
member. 

Martha Chapter, No. 116, Order Eastern Star, 
auxiliary B. of L. F., was organized March 30, 1895, 
with twenty-eight charter members. Regular meet- 
ings are held the second and fourth Tuesdays of 
each month in Masonic Hall. The chapter has a 
total membership of forty-three, and is in a prosper- 
ous condition. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 




IN THE HOP FIELDS'OF OTSEGO COUNTY. 



THE ONEONTA HISTORICAL SOUVENIR. 



8=; 



David Forrest Wilber was elected to Congress 
from the 21st district, including the counties of 
Otsego, Montgomer)', Schoharie, Greene and Sche- 
nectady, in November, 1895, by the very large 
majority of 4,677. He served the first year of his 
term with credit to himself and to the satisfaction 
of his constituents, and was uncommonly active in 
putting through several public measures, being more 
servicable in promoting legislation than customary 
for a new member. He is naturally a legislator, if 
that e.xpression may be used ; that fact being demon- 
strated by the audacious and the remarkably clever 
manner in which he secured legislation protecting 
the cheese industry, which he so largely represents. 
The measure to which we refer is what is known as 
the " Filled Cheese bill."' In brief, it secures the 
public against imposition on the part of foreign 
and unscrupulous cheese manufacturers, and makes 



the countrj' ; a herd which were prize winners for 
butter making. He was also the president of the 
Cheviot Sheep Breeders' Association, member of 
the New York State Agricultural Society, and in 
i8g3 he was one of the vice-presidents of the same ; 
member of the State Dairymen's Association, second 
vice-president of the Holstein-Friesian Association. 
The interest he took in agricultural affa;rs resulted 
in his appointment by Governor Flower as a mem- 
ber of the tuberculosis commission, the object of 
which was to investigate the ravages of that disease 
among cattle. He was born in the town of Milford, 
December 7, 1S59 < ^^^^ educated in the common 
schools, and after becoming sufficiently advanced in 
his studies, was sent to Cazenovia Seminary, from 
which institution he graduated in 1879. In 18S0 he 
removed from Milford to Oneonta, where he became 
engaged in the hop business with his father and 




^Z;»^ --'^-'" 



ON THE SCHOHARIE. 



it possible for the maker of first qualit)' cheese to 
market his productions at remunerative figures. 
Ordinarily and by those unfamiliar with fact, this 
might be considered a very small matter, but when 
it is understood that a powerful coterie of cheese- 
makers, supported by experienced congressmen, 
made a hard fight against Mr. Wilber, endeavoring 
to forestall his measure by. getting through one 
which ostensibly accomplished the same end, but 
which really was intended as a "blind," it will be 
conceded that his success was really a creditable 
achievement. At any rate his services were re- 
warded with a re-election in November, 1896. The 
Congressman is deeply interested in dair}' matters. 
Until he became involved in public life, and when 
he had the time to look after other matters, he owned 
one of the finest herds of Holstein-Friesian'cattle in 



brother, George I., under the firm name of D. Wilber 
& Sons, which business was continued until 1883, 
when George I. withdrew and the firm became D. 
Wilber & Son, and so continued until his father's 
death. He also became largely interested in Oneonta 
real estate, and has conducted quite an extensive 
business in the same. He is the sponsor for the 
D. F. Wilber Hook and Ladder Company, after 
whom it is named ; is a member of the Albany 
Burgesses Corps, and has recently been elected a 
member of the Societ}' of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, He has twice represented the town of 
Oneonta in the board of supervisors, each time 
being elected by a handsome majorit)' ; member of 
the Republican county committee, of which he was 
chairman, and member of the Republican State 
committee. 



ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT 



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Massage.., 
Treatment 



Mrs. ALICE E. WILCOX has used her natural and 
cultivated powers in the practice of Massage many 
years with success that few have attained. She 
has testimonials from prominent physicians whose 
patients she has treated. Call and see them. 

Will treat patients at their residence or in her ofSce, 

269 MAIN STREET. 




ivirs. Eva Ferine 

Rooms II and 12 Ford Building, 
Main Street, ONEONTA, N. Y. 



After takinjj; a full course under 
the best instructors in New York 
city, I am prepared to do all kinds 
of Scalp Work and to treat all 
kinds of Skin Diseases. Special 
attention given to Massage Treat- 
ment. I also dress hair and make 
switches, puffs and everything for 
a lady's toilet. 

The patronage of all the ladies 
of Oneonta and vicinity solicited. 

Satisfaction Guaranteed. 



ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 



1845 



THE 



1896 



JDQufufll^IBpnpfit 35.ifFlns,(Jo, 

NKWARK, N. J. 

Guarantees after payment of two annual premiums, 
viz: I, cash surrender value; 2, loan equal in 
amount to cash value; 3, extended insurance full 
amount of policy without request of policy holder; 
4, paid-up policy. 



PAID POLICY-HOLDERS 

SINCE ORGANIZATION 1 1^ 1845. 

Policy Claims 177,843,972.91 

Dividends 46,908,415 37 

vSurrendered Policies 20,061,798.92 



Total 



.1144,814,187.20 



The Compan^-'s investments have yielded sufficient re- 
turns to pay all Expenses and Taxes, and still to add to the 
Policy-holders' fund for the fulfillment of existing con 
tracts $34,133,807 66 



Assets, Market Value 158,269,197.06 

L/iabilities, N. J., N. Y. and Mass. 

vStandard 54,187,724 54 



Surplus 



^,081,472. 52 



Number of Policies in force January i, 1S96, 84,916 

Insuring. _ ..' $218,917, T16 

M. O. MULTER. 

DISTRICT AGENT, 

160 Main STREET, ONEONTA, N. Y 



F 



IRST-class Dressmaking at modern prices. 
No one ever disappointed in the character of 
the work or in receiving it . 

Mrs. J. L. E\STON, 

No. 6 Fairview st., Oneonta, N. Y. 



D 



RESSMAKING, fitting, making Capes and 
Cloaks. An experienced dressmaker. The 
best needle and _fancy work . 

Mrs. W. R. WHITNEY, 

1 6 West Broadway . 



F 



ASHIONABLE DRESSMAKING. 
Mrs. G. T. W11.BER, 

57 Church street. 



FASHIONABLE dressmaking at home and out 
bv the day. Experienced cutter and fitter. 
Mrs. Channing Kellogg, Emmons' block, 
300 Main, over Relyea's store. 



D 



RESSMAKING— Fitting a specialty. En- 
gagements promptly fulfilled. Mrs. HaTTIE 
RiLEV, No. 5 Hickory street. 



M 



RS. SCHNICKMANN, Fashionable Dress- 
maker and Cutter. Two flights over Lewis' 
jewelry store, corner Main and Broad Sts. 



MASSAGE and Face Treatment for ladies and 
children at their homes. Agent for De 
Medici's Hj'genic Toilet goods. Address 
Mrs. C. Mahon, No. i Fair street. 



ONEOMA 



insurance anb 1Real Estate te 



Hgenc^^ 



FIRE INSURANCE "^ '.'^"^ ^^"^ First-Class Com- 
panics, at as low rates as con- 
sistent with Sound Insurance. 




LOW, ( W^e also take charge of property, collect rents, pay taxes, etc., 

MS EASY. '(, at reasonable rates. 

FOFID &. TD'EA.'N, 223 jveaztst st. 



PRICES LOW, 

TERMS EASY. 



Don't Throw Away Money. 

Save your small change and you will be surprised at the variety of useful and 
pretty articles you can get for a song at our bazaar. 

ALL : KINDS : OF : CROCKERY-BEAUTIFUL : LAI^PS : OF : UNIQUE : DESIGN. 

FANCY CHINA TEA SETS from the least expensive to the best Haviland China. 

SILVER PLATED WARE— very nice and stylish, too; Knives, Forks, Spoons, etc. 

DRY GOODS AND NOTIONS— Gloves and Mittens. Everything in Linen. The Brainerd & 
Armstrong embroidery. Silk in all colors. Germantown and vSaxony colored yarns. 

BAZAAR, No. 151 MAIN STREET. 



ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 



DEAI^ER IN 

MEATS POULTRY, FRESH FISH, OYSTERS, FRUIT AND 

VEGETABLES. 

S.E.YAGER 1 

Successor to Homer i 
G. Ford, 

CONTRACTOR OF 

PAIMING, 
DECORATING, 
PAPER- 
HANGING. 

Office and Shop, 
262'/2 Main St. 

ONEONTA. 




HOTEL FENI^IORE, COOPERSTOWN, N. Y. 





COTT/\GE HOTEL— O'BRIEN BROS., Proprietors, No. 3 
Chestnut Street, Oneonta, N. Y. New house; newly 
furnished; hot and cold water throughout. Board by 
( li> the day or week; Transient rates, $1.50 per day. 



gfe^Send to Grip, 403 Clinton avenue, for copies 
of these famous Souvenirs. The finest in the 
world. Price 35 cents. 



"I^OTELlRVIfie 5iDl!^' 



li.) 




ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 



]Mrs. ]M. A. COON, 

FINE . MILLINERY complete assortment 



ONE PRICE TO ALL. 



Rooms, second floor over Grand Union Tea Store. 

172 Main Street, ONEONTA, N. Y. 

CA mateur pl7otosrQpl7ic Supplies, ::^^::!,^:^J^:2^, 

I \ Tags, etc. Fresh goods always in stock. If you want a good camera we have them on hand; 
^*^ agent for the best cameras made . Mail orders receive prompt attention . 

J. W. BARD, 6 Broad Street, Oneonta, N. Y. 



HOTOGRAPHERS' SUPPLIES. 



Complete line of all material used by the best 
equipped galleries. 

LISTED PRICES FURNISHED THE TRADE 

Jobbers of Amatevir outfits. 

GEORGE H. GUARDINIER, 

544 Broadway, ALBANY, N. Y. 



Th|G Vineerit JA^q. (So., 

manufacturers of 
Blank Books of Every Description. 

Sole owners of Patent and Copyrights of 

DRAKE'S TABULATED GROUPED AND INDEXED LODGE AND 
SOCIETY RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS. 

LODQE AND SOCIKTY SUPPLIES A SPECIALLY. 

Magazine and General Binding respectfully solicited. Workmanship guaranteed. Every job an adver- 
tisement. 

BINDERY, No. 10 Broad St, ONEONTA, N. Y. 

THE 

<^ord -^ and ^ ^tfvsr * I^oTrcirs 

MOST CENTRAL LOCATION. 

The Only European Plan Restaurant in Town, 

WITH BAR ATTACHED. 
MEALS TO ORDER AT ALL HOURS. 

132 Main STREET, MENRYMLTLLS, 

ONEONTA, N. Y. Proprietor. 



ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 



THE CITY BAKERY 



CATERER FOR WEDDINGS, 
ANNIVERSARIES, PARTIES 
AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS .... 



WILBER BLOCK. 



BROWN AND WHITE BREAD, TEA ROLLS, 
BISCUIT, COFFEE CAKES 

FANCY AND PLAIN CAKES, JELLY ROLLS, SPONGE, COOKIES, 

PIES AND TARTS, Etc. 

THE BEST MATERIAL USED IN ALL BAKING. 

WhOIvESALE .*. CONKECTIONER 
37 Centre Street, ONEONTA. N. Y. 



I 



NOVELTIES 

OF ALL KINDS. 



FERGUSON'S 



GLOVES AND 

MITTENS. 



9 CH-ERTIsrTJT ST.. OIsr:E:OITT.A.. IsT- IT. 
Largest assortment of TOBACCO, CIGARS, PIPES, and SMOKERS' SUPPLIES in Central 
New York. All kinds of FRUITS, NUTS, CONFECTIONERY , Etc. Finest Goods. 

Maker of Ferguson's Popular Ice Cream, 30c. qt., fi.oo per gal. 



F. W. JORDAN, 

DEALER IN 

Fine ^ Groceries * and # Provisions, 



ONEONTA, N. Y. 



OLES & ANDERSON, 

DEALERS IN ALL KINDS OF 

CHOICE GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS, 

263 MAIN STREET, ONEONTA, N. Y. 



Davison's Meat Market 



Opposite Howes' Candy Kitchen 

Main Street. 



Best of all kinds of Meats at Lowest Prices. 



Special attention giv enjo V-\e.\^ " V.Or^^ F'r\V^\:\r^S- 

EARL R. COLGROVE, 

Engraving and Printing 



WILBER BUILDING, 

252 MAIN ST., ONEONTA, N. Y. 



KIMBALL.. HOUSE, 

WASHINGTON AVENUE, 

Opposite the upper end of the capitol. First-class accom- 
modations for transient guests or boarders. Headquarters 
for the stage lines. 

J. n, BORTHWICK, Prftprietar* 



G. M, HURLBUTT, 

Successor to Hurlbutt & Chaffee. 

Choice Family Groceries and Provisions, 

No. 7 Chestnut St., OneonTa, N. Y. 



ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 



F. S. PATTRIDGE 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN 



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KENTUCKY 
LIQUOR ©STORE 

34 and 36 Broad Street 

Oneonta, N. Y. 



F. V. SCHENK, 

OK LONDON, ENGLAMi, 

PRACTICAL WATCHMAKER 

20 YEARS' EXPERIfNCE. 

\\'in do all kinds of fine watch repairing. Work for trade 
solicited. 

259 MAIN ST., ONtONTA. N. Y. 

Watches adjusted. 

Dr. WINANS, 

RUPTURE SPECIALIST. 

Main Office— Room 19, Central Hotel, 

WEDNESDAY. ONEONTA, N. Y. 

Office hours, 10 a. m. to .^ p.m. 

W. A. LAKIN, 

The Eureka Fashionable .... 

vSHAVING AND HAIR DRESSING 

^=— PARLORS 

Central Hotel, ONEONTA. N. Y. 

L. S. PITCHER, 
Electrician and Practical Engineer 

Manufacturer of and Dealer in 
Telephones, Electric Bells, Burglar and Fire Alarms, 
Batteries, Watches, Clocks, etc. Oldest established 
and practical electrician in Otsego county. All 
kinds of mechanical work repaired. 

68 RIVER ST., ONEONTA. N. Y. 



BOOTS AND SHOES 



NEATLY RKPAIRED. 

SOLON BARNES, 

Basement Westcotl Block, 
214 Main Street, ONEONTA, N. Y. 

A. R. SMITH, 

MANUFACTURER OF AND DE.\LER IN 

Harness, Blankets, Robes, Whips and 
Stable Supplies. 

No. 4 Broad St., ONEONTA, N. Y. , 



A. A. KRASIER, 

Dealer in Foreign and Domestic VV j tl 6^^ ^flCl I fClllOf*^ 

TOBACCO, CIGARS AND SMOKERS' SUNDRIES. 

14 Broad Street, - - - ONEONTA, N. Y. 

HI. ID. vJEnsr.Tsrxnsra-s, 
Plumbing, . Steam . and . Gas. Fitting, 

Steam and Hot Water Heating. Agents for the Welsbach Gas Light. 

Chestnut Extension, - ONEONTA, N. Y. 

G-. B. RAYlMOlNriD, 

Furniture Enamel];d any Color Desired. 
Sign Writing, Paper Hanging, House Painting, Paints Mixed to Order. 

M\S\k^17?.os^7%\o\^:so...u ONEONTA, N. Y. 

Westcott Block, under A. D. Rowe's Drug Store. 



Shop 



ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 




ALBANY 



B 



ndramng 



^ompaii\' 



Makers of' 



FINE ENGRAVINGS IN HALF-TONE 
■ AND LINE FOR CATALOGUES, 
BOOKS, STATIONERY, ETC. 

Estimates furnished on application. 

NATIONAL EXPRESS BUILDING, 
MAIDEN LANE AND DEAN ST. 

ALBANY, N. Y. 



Veterinary Surgeon and Dentist. 



No. i6 Broad Street, 



mm 



^9 



ONEONTA, N. Y. 




Graduate Ontario Veterinary College and member of New York State Veterinary Medical Society. 
Experienced and capable of treating all diseases and injuries affecting domestic animals. 

CONSULTATION FREE.— Horses examined and certificate as to soundness given. 

I use the Thermo-Cautery which burns without pain, leaving no scar in treating Spavins, Ringbones' 
Splints, Broken Tendons, etc. 




TO MAKE A. 



Y 



260 Main St., ONEONTA, N. V 



OUR heating and plumbing must be done on sanitary and 
scientific principles. A poorly constructed heater job or 
slip shod plumbing will spoil for comfortable living purposes, any 
house that an architect can plan or a builder construct. For that 
reason I am paying special attention to heating and plumbing. 
Being a practical mechanic myself I know when work is well or 
poorly done, and as I lay out and oversee all work done from my 
store, I can guarantee good work on sanitary principles, and at rea- 
sonable prices. Give me a call and you will not regret it. 

M. F. DOLAN. 



GRIP'S" BEST HOTEL GUIDE. 



^'THE 



'^ J. W. SHARPE, Prop., 

• SHARON SPRINGS,"N. Y. 




It^GRIP'S BEST HOTEL GUIDE. 







H 

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o 

2 2 

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Hotel . Altamont 

D. O. STITTS, 

Prop. 

First-class for Travelers. 

Altamont, N. Y. 





First-class 
Large Hotel. 

Modern 
Spacious 
Rooms 

Sample Rooms 

Home for 
the Traveler 

Livery . 

C. BRADY, 

Prop. 



GRIP'S" RELIABLE GUIDE FOR TRAVELERS. 



pr-RESPONSIBLE TICKET AGENTS.^^ 




MILEAGES 
Bought and Sold. 

LOCK BOX, 44. 

BAINBRIDGE,N.Y. 



Reduced '» Rates 

On all connecting lines. 



Correspondence Solicited. 



I. 



H. PRIDE, Ticket Broker, 



SIDNEY, N. Y 



ivi 



ILEAGE BOOKS on the D. & H. and connecting 
Railroads. -S E. CRO.nKHITE, First National Bank, 

Cooperstown, N. Y. 



«»=-THE BEST LIVERY STABLES.=1» 



ALTAMONT LIVERY. Dayton H. Whipple, Fred. 
V. Whipple, props Inquire at either hotel. Orders 
received by telephone. 

CENTRAL BRIDGE LIVERY, a. c. Hutton, 
Proprietor. Open all hours. Dealer in WAGONS, 
SIvEIGHS, Etc. 

LAW-YER'S LIVERY- W. S. Lawyer, proprietor. 
Office: Parrott House and at Lawyer's Stables, Main 
Street, SCHOHARIE, N. Y. 

OTEL SCHOHARIE LIVERY, J.Young, pro- 
prietor, SCHOHARIE, N. Y. 



H 



4®=-THE BEST HOTELS.-®* 



KEELER'S HOTEL AND RESTAURANT, 
Broadway and Maiden Lane, Albany, N.Y. European 
plan. w'm. H. KEELER, Prop. 



H 



OTEL PHELPS, Afton, n. y. 
PHELPS, Proprietor. 



Livery. WM. 



H 



OTEL ALTAMONT, Altamont, N. Y. Modern 
improvements; steam heat; livery and headquarters 
tor all stages. J. O. STITT, Prop. 



COMMERCIAL HOTEL (formerly Union), Alta- 
mont, N. Y. Under new management. Livery. M. 
GRIGGS, Prop. 




THE EXCHANGE HOTEL, Cobleskill, N. Y. 



M. DEVANEY, Proprietor. 



► ARK HOTEL, Bainbridge, N. Y. A. L. BEVIER, 
Proprietor. 

/CENTRAL HOTEL, Bainbridge, N. Y. T. D. 






er-THE BEST HOTELS.-®* 



w 



J. F. SPOHN, 

RAILRO.VD ^ 

TICKET BROKER. T 



ESSELL HOUSE, Carlisle, N. Y. S. R. WBS- 

SELL, Proprietor. Caters to driving parties. 



HE AUSTIN HOUSE, Central Bridge, N.Y. Bar- 
ber shop, liverv, stabling and sheds connected. Mod- 
erate charges to all. HENRY AUSTIN, Prop. 



► ARK HOUSE, Central Bridge, N. Y. Good accom- 
modations. Terms, Si.oo per day. Ijvery attached. 
K. BARTON, Proprietor. 

/^ARR'S HOTEL, Cooperstown, N. Y. Livery at- 






tached. L. A. CARR, Proprietor. 



N 



EW CENTRAL HOTEL. Cooperstown, N. Y. 
Electric lights. Steam heat. W. M. POTTER, Pro- 
prietor. 



M 



ACOMBER'S HOTEL, Delanson, N. Y. Meals 
ready on arrival of trains. Livery attached. HOW- 
LAND MACOMBER, Hroprietor. 



CENTRAL HOUSE, East Worcester, N. Y. New 
building and furniture. R. H. PITCHER, Proprie- 
tor. 

STARIN HOUSE. Fultonville, N. Y. Newly fur- 
nished. First-class. Good bar. Livery. CHARLES 
DOPP, Proprietor. 

COOKSBURGH HOUSE, Cooksburgh, N. Y. On 
the Middleburgh and Calskill road. H. R. RUSSELL, 
Proprietor. 



^'^' 








^HE UNITED STATES, Cobleskill, N. Y. Best 
«i a day house. W. J. KILTS, Proprietor, JASON 
KILTS, Clerk. 



H 



OTEL GRANT, Fort Plain, N. Y. Steam heat. 
Gas and electric bells. Stables connected. HENRY 
A. OAKES, Proprietor. 



EUROPEAN HOTEL CAFE, Fort Plain, N. Y. 
' Meals at all hours. WM. GREELEY, Proprietor. 
"^ILBOA HOUSE, Gilboa, N. Y. Livery attached. 
' W. H. BECKER, Proprietor. 

^UTTLE HOUSE, Gilboa, N. Y. Livery. CHAS. 
L. TUTTLE, Proprietor. 

^AFE, Middleburgh, N. Y. R. D. GORDON, Proprie- 
tor. Liquors and cigars. Late Lunches for Late Ar- 
' rivals in town. 

AKER'S HOTEL, Middleburgh, N. Y., opposite 
the depot. Livery attached. M. W. BAKER, Proprie- 
tor. 



B 



B 
H 



LENHEIM HOUSE, North Blenheim, N. Y. M. 
C. WRIGHT, Proprietor. Proprietor Middleburgh 
and Gilboa stage line. 

OTEL CHAPMAN, North Blenheim, N. Y. Com- 
mercial rates. Daily stage to Middleburgh. FRANK 
CHAPMAN, Proprietor. 



OARHYDT HOUSE, Schenectady. N. Y. H. 



D 



MANSFIELD, Proprietor. W. N. EATON, Clerk. 



WILLSEY, Proprietor. Steam heat in every room. 



^HE PARROT HOUSE, Schoharie, N. Y. P. O. 
WINTER, Proprietor. Accommodations first-class. 



"GRIP'S" RELIABLE GUIDE FOR TRAVELERS. 



^-THE BEST HOTELS."®* 



w 



HITE HOUSE. Middleljurgh, N. Y. Livery. L. 
^" C. WHITE, Proprietress. 




'REEMYER HOUSE- Middleburgh, N. Y. M. w. 
BAKER, Proprietor. 



CENTRAL HOTEL. Springfield Centre, N. Y. 
Head of Otsego Lake. Livery attached. Accommoda- 
tions for winter and summer parties. CLARK ELLS- 
WORTH, Proprietor. 



I^°THE BEST HOTELS.-^a 



H 



OTEL SCHOHARIE, Schoharie, N. Y. TWITCH- 
ELL & CULLEN, Proprietors. Newly reconstructed; 
newly furnished; newly re-arranged. 



NEWMAN HOUSE, Seward, N. Y. This hotel is 
now under new management and will be conducted in 
first-class manner; electric call bells; good livery and 
bar. JAMES NEWMAN, Proprietor. 

HOTEL FETHERS, Sharon Springs; all year round; 
Bus to all trains. First-class accommodations for com- 
mercial and summer trade. D. L. FETHERS, Pro- 
prietor. 



IVl 



ANSION HOUSE, Sharon Springs, N. Y. J. W. 
SHARH, Proprietor. Open all the year. Bus to all 
trains winter and summer. 



H 



OP EXCHANGE HOTEL, Sharon Springs, Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y. Opposite depot. Liverv. Open all 
the year. C. M. VAN DEUSEN, Proprietor. 



SOUTH WORCESTER HOTEL, South Wor- 
cester, Otsego county, N. Y. J. O. VAN BUREN, Pro- 
prietor. 

CENTRAL HOTEL, Worcester, N. Y. Livery. 
Telegraph. Rooms all heated. Barber. Electric bells. 
SQUIRE SHAFER, Proprietor. 

THE WORCESTER HOUSE, Worcester, N. Y. 
First-cla.ss Opera House attached, C. L BALDWIN, 
Proprietor. 



u 



NADILLA HOUSE, Unadilla, N. Y. Free 'bus to 
and from all trains. Mrs. S. TINGLEY, Proprietor. 
D. D. TINGLEY, Manager. 



H 



OTEL BISHOP, Unadilla, N. Y., one block from 
the depot. Kirst-class hotel. CHARLES BISHOP, 
Proprietor. 



THE BALLARD HOUSE, 

COOPERSTOWN, N. Y. 

George J. Vanderwerker, 

Proprietor. 

This hotel ranks second to none in 

the interior of the state. Within the past 

two years it has been 

Enlarged and Refurnished. 



LARGE, COOL ROOMS. 



Fitted with sanitary conveniences of the most approved pattern on every floor, and modern forms 
of ventilation for every room. In one year twc» large annexes were added, opening directly into the 
main building, making the whole a large and complete hotel, as well arranged as though included in 
the original plans. Upper balconies with splendid views of scenery. Baths and all accommodations. 




Hotel Wagne 



HENRY JOY, 

PROPRIETOR. 

Canajoharie and 

Palatine Bridg< 
N. Y. 



THE .... 

Finest Hote 

In Central New York. 



No better on the line , 
Ithe N.»Y. Central' 



"GRIP'S" ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT. 



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DELAWARE & 



HUDSON E. R. 



The Shortest, Quickest 
and Best Line Between 



New York ^^' Montreal 



"It may be questioned whether there is a railway journey in the world which gives in one day a 
variety and splendor of landscape to equal that which is enjoyed by the traveler taking the morning 
express by this line between Montreal and New York." — Scollish /Review. 



Tourists desiring to travel through the finest sections in the Adiron- 
dacks, will find these attractive routes of most interest, viz : 

All rail to Lake Placid, via^'D. & H. and Chateaugay R. R. 

The Stage ride between Au Sable and Lake Placid, via Wilmington 
Pass (25 miles). 

stage ride between 'Westport and Lake Placid, via Elizabeth, Keene 
Valley and the Cascade Lakes (32 miles). 

Send 6 cents postage for fine Descriptive Guide to 

J. W. BURDICK, 

G. P. Agt, Albany, N. Y. 



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